•Using bamboo fibres as plastic reinforcement to replace flax fibres is investigated.•Bamboo fibre reinforced composites are generally more eco-friendly than flax fibre reinforced composites.•Bamboo ...original fibre reinforced composites exhibit the best environmental performance.•Addition of compatibiliser improves mechanical performance without extra environmental burdens.•Incineration and recycling are more environmental friendly options as compared to landfill.
Although flax fibres are largely used to reinforce plastic, the quality of these fibres depends on the cultivation conditions, moreover, the global production volume of these fibres is also limited. The main aim of this current work was to investigate the feasibility of replacing flax fibres with bamboo fibres for reinforcing thermoplastics in terms of mechanical and environmental performance of both fibres. Two types of bamboo fibres, bamboo original fibres (BOF) and bamboo viscose fibres (BVF) and flax fibres as reference were used to reinforce polypropylene (PP). The composites were fabricated into laminates using manual stacking and hot pressing and the mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact) of the composites were evaluated. In order to evaluate the environmental performance of these composites life cycle assessment approach was conducted which showed that the composites reinforced with bamboo fibres were eco-friendlier as compared to the composites with flax fibres. However, the flax fibre-reinforced composite showed better mechanical performance. The BOF/PP composites showed better life cycle environmental performance as compared to both flax/PP and BVF/PP composites. Finally, a compatibilizer, i.e., maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, was added which resulted in better mechanical and environmental performance of the bamboo fibre reinforced composites. Comparison between the environmental impacts of different disposal routes for the composites demonstrated that incineration and recycling are more environmental friendly disposal practises than placing waste in a landfill.
The increasingly strict legislation on plastic recycling and the public concerns about environmental protection have driven the waste plastics recycling industry and the development of recycled ...plastics applications. However, recycled plastics are rarely used in high-value-added applications, especially in the automobile industry. This thesis aimed to investigate the feasibility of utilising recycled plastics for auto parts manufacturing. It started with the background study focused on the use of plastics in automobiles and the status of waste plastic recycling in China. Recycled polypropylene (RPP) was selected as the focused material because it is widely used for the manufacturing of automobiles parts. A literature review of recycled plastics was conducted to understand the degradation mechanism and reinforcing techniques in detail. The experimental study consists of four sections: 1) Development and characterisation of the RPP/Talc composites for the manufacturing of the armrest box. The prepared formula processed the industrial trial, the products meet all the mechanical requirements of the armrest box, and it can save 35.2% of material cost. 2) Preparation of RPP-based blends for automobile bumper. With the addition of 20 wt% of maleic anhydride grafted linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE-g-MA), the notched impact strength of the RPP composites improved by 252.6%. And 10 wt% LLDPE-g-MA filled RPP3 meet the mechanical requirements for the middle-end bumper. 3) Process development for the use of recycled short milled carbon fibre (rSMCF) as a filler and investigation of its effects on the mechanical properties of the composite. By adding 5 wt% rSMCF, the tensile modulus and flexural modulus of RPP composites increased by 52.3% and 47.3%, respectively. And the coupling agent maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) significantly improved the interfacial adhesion between rSMCF and PP matrix. At 5 wt% MAPP loading, The tensile strength and flexural strength of 5 wt% RSMCF filled PP composites was increased from 21.8 MPa to 24.3 MPa and 27.2 MPa to 31.7 MPa, respectively. This study shows that only a small amount of rSMCF addition will contribute to significant improvement of polypropylene (PP) based composites in tensile and flexural properties. 4) Evaluating the effects of hollow glass bead (HGB) on weight reduction, mechanical behaviours and flame retardancy. The effects of MAPP on compatilising RPP and fillers were analysed, the interfacial effects were studied by the microscale observation. By addition 10 wt% of HGB, the total weight of VPP and RPP composites have a reduction of around 4%. The reduction of impact properties is the major drawback of HGB. By adding 10 wt% of HGB in RPP3 and RPP4, the un-notched impact strength reduced by 54.1% and 48.5%. The processed cone calorimeter test shows by adding 10 wt% HGB to VPP, the heat release rate decrease from 766.6 kW/m2 to 536.6 kW/m2 . The mechanism of the flame retardancy of HGB was further analysed by scanning electron microscopy, during the burning HGB can form an effective protection layer floating on the melted plastics to suppress the flame and thus improve the flame retardancy of PP composites. This study found that it is possible to partially replace virgin polypropylene (VPP) with RPP in some specific automobile applications. The novelty of this research is the utilisation of well-developed techniques (filler addition, polymer blending) to develop recycled composite to meet the requirement from manufacturers and evaluate its performance in real automobile parts. It presented a crucial step from the lab-scale study to the large-scale industrial use of recycled plastics in the automobile industry. This study developed a process for manufacturing rSMCF filled PP composites. By only using a small amount < 5 wt%) of rSMCF, the mechanical properties of PP composites significantly improved. The use of recycled carbon fibre (rCF) in recycled plastics provide a cost-effective way for both resource-saving and properties reinforcement. In order to reduce the environmental impact on the automobile industry, HGB was introduced as a lightweight material into the PP matrix for weight reduction. The mechanical and flammability results of HGB filled PP composites were investigated and discussed. The developed process for utilizing rCF and HGBs showed the potential of a more sustainable and lower environmental impact pathway for the automobile industry.
The development of circularly polarized thermally activated delayed fluorescence (CP‐TADF) luminogens with stimuli‐response characteristics remains challenging. Herein, a pair of organic enantiomers, ...S‐CzTA and R‐CzTA, with aggregation‐induced emission properties, have been successfully developed by introducing chiral 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene and carbazole to phthalimide. They present CP‐TADF properties in toluene solutions, giving dissymmetric factors of 0.84×10−3 and −1.03×10−3, respectively. In the crystalline state, both S‐CzTA and R‐CzTA can emit intense blue TADF and produce very bright sky‐blue mechanoluminescence (ML) and remarkable mechanofluorochromism (MFC) under the stimuli of mechanical force. Single‐crystal analysis and theoretical calculation results suggest that their ML activities are probably associated with their chiral and polar molecular structures and unique non‐centrosymmetric molecular packing modes. Furthermore, the MFC properties of the enantiomers likely originate from the destruction of crystal structure, leading to the planarization of molecular conformation. This work may provide helpful guidance for developing new CP‐TADF materials with force‐stimuli‐responsive properties.
A pair of organic enantiomers with aggregation‐induced emission and circularly polarized thermally activated delayed fluorescence properties have been developed successfully. Furthermore, it is found that their crystals can emit strong blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence and produce bright sky‐blue mechanoluminescence and remarkable mechanofluorochromism under the stimuli of force.
Aim
To understand the impact of historical and contemporary habitat distributions and connectivity on the spatial patterns of a species' genetic variation and divergence, we examined the phylogenetic ...relationship, population genetic structure and demographic history of a mangrove‐specialist, the crab‐eating frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) from 10 geographic populations in China and northern Vietnam.
Location
Southeast Asian coasts, especially the southern China and northern Vietnam coasts.
Methods
We used the sequences of three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) regions to infer phylogenetic relationships and divergence times between our samples and those from other Southeast Asian countries. Thirteen nuclear microsatellite loci were used to analyse population genetic structure. Ancient and more recent demographic history was assessed using mtDNA and microsatellite data, respectively, and population divergence history scenarios were evaluated using approximate Bayesian computation.
Results
The mtDNA haplotypes from China joined the F. cancrivora clades from the Philippines, Thailand and Bangladesh, which diverged from the clades from Malaysia and Indonesia. Microsatellite analyses revealed three genetically differentiated clusters and a strong pattern of isolation by distance at the individual level. Ancient population sizes were relatively stable, but genetic signatures of recent population declines were detected. Population divergence history analyses supported that Hainan populations were ancestral to those of the Guangdong, Guangxi and northern Vietnam populations.
Main conclusions
Our results suggest that F. cancrivora's contemporary genetic patterns have been shaped by past and present habitat conformations. This species may have dispersed along the coast from Southeast Asia to China during Pleistocene glaciations when sea levels were low, colonizing the Hainan area first. It subsequently spread to mainland China coasts when sea levels rose and shorelines withdrew. Additionally, current declines and fragmentation of mangrove forests have likely exacerbated population reductions and genetic divergences among now disjunct populations. This study provides a framework for understanding the population history of mangrove‐associated biota and thus aids conservation management of this critical ecosystem.
Summary Objectives To investigate the differences and correlation between the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) in teachers in China with and without ...voice disorders. Study Design This is a cross-sectional descriptive analytical study. Methods The participants were 864 teachers (569 women, 295 men) whose vocal cords were examined using a flexible nasofibrolaryngoscope. Questionnaire results were obtained for both the VHI-10 and the V-RQOL. Results Of the 864 participants, 409 teachers had no voice disorders and 455 teachers had voice disorders. The most common voice complaint was hoarseness (n = 298) and the most common throat complaint was globus pharyngis (n = 79) in teachers with voice disorders. Chronic laryngitis (n = 218) and polyps and nodules (n = 182) were the most frequent diagnoses in teachers with voice disorders. Significant differences were seen on the VHI-10 between teachers with and those without voice disorders ( P < 0.05) and in function between female and male teachers with voice disorders ( P < 0.05) and between those with different voice disorders ( P < 0.05). Moderate to strong correlations were observed between VHI-10 total score and those for the three domains of the VHI-10 and the V-RQOL ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions There is a high prevalence of voice disorders in teachers. Teachers with voice disorders have poor voice-related quality of life, with more impairment seen among female than male teachers. Different groups of voice disorders have different effects on voice-related quality of life. A moderate correlation was found between the results of the VHI-10 and the V-RQOL.
PurposeCombining transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with systemic therapy has shown significant efficacy for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study aimed to ...validate the therapeutic efficacy of TACE combined with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (TACE + Atez/Bev) compared to TACE alone.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted across three centers in China, encompassing 155 patients at the intermediate-stage of HCC. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to minimize selection bias, with a ratio of 1:1. Primary outcomes were TACE-specific Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS). Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Disease Control Rate (DCR) were assessed based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Adverse events (AEs) related to treatment were analyzed to evaluate safety.ResultsBefore PSM, the TACE + Atez/Bev group demonstrated extended median OS (not reached vs 20.3 months, P = 0.004) and PFS (20.0 months vs 9.8 months, P = 0.029) compared to the TACE-alone group. The TACE + Atez/Bev group also had a higher ORR (60.9% vs 41.3%, P = 0.026) and DCR (89.1% vs 58.7%, P < 0.001) than the TACE-alone group. After applying the PSM, the study included 42 pairs of patients. Compared to the TACE-alone group, the combination therapy group also showed significantly longer median OS (not reached vs 21.4 months, P = 0.008) and PFS (21.7 vs 9.7 months, P = 0.009). The combination therapy group also had a higher ORR (66.7% vs 38.1%, P = 0.009) and DCR (92.9% vs 57.1%, P < 0.001). AEs in the combination therapy group were mostly manageable, with the most common being elevated liver transaminase.ConclusionIn treating intermediate-stage HCC, the survival benefit of combining TACE with atezolizumab and bevacizumab was significantly higher than TACE alone, and the treatment was well-tolerated.
Summary Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of voice therapy on patients with voice disorders by comparing the acoustic parameter changes before and after treatment. Study Design This ...is a retrospective study. Methods Forty-five female patients with early-stage vocal nodules or polyps, postoperative patients, and patients with chronic laryngitis were divided into three subgroups. Videostroboscopic, acoustic analysis (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, mean harmonics-to-noise ratio), and maximum phonation time (MPT) were measured before and after treatment. Fifty healthy female volunteers were the control group. Results After treatment, 24.4% of nodules or polyps had decreased in size, 11.1% of patients with chronic laryngitis and postoperative patients had reduced edema, and the mucosal wave of vocal folds had different degrees of recovery in postoperative patients. All acoustic analysis values and MPT in the patient group were statistically worse than in the control group, except for fundamental frequency before treatment ( P > 0.05). After treatment, the acoustic analysis and MPT values were improved. However, the jitter, mean harmonics-to-noise ratio, and MPT values in the patient group were still worse after voice therapy than in the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Most of acoustic analysis values can be useful as a complementary tool in diagnosis and assessment of voice disorders; however, it is not recommended to use a single parameter to assess voice quality. Voice therapy can improve voice quality in patients with voice disorders, but a period longer than 8 weeks is recommended for these patients.
To investigate the treatment efficacy of electronic endoscope-Guided botulinum toxin injection in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia Patients.
Clinical characteristics of forty- three cases were ...retrospectively analyzed. The disease were diagnosed with adductor spasmodic dysphonia and graded according to the severity of the disease by experienced voice specialist. All the cases were treated by electronic endoscope-guided botulinum toxin type A injection in bilateral thyroarytenoid muscles. All the subjects underwent stroboscopic laryngoscope examination and filled in the Voice Handicap Index-10（VHI-10）. They also filled in the VAS score of Voice related symptoms by self evaluation and other evaluation . One month Later, the patients and someone they lived with filled in the VAS score of Voice related symptoms again.
After the first injection, the voice-related symptoms of 35 patients improved to varying degrees..All The average onset time of drug was（2.33±1.86） days. The duration of curative effect ranged from 1 to
A novel lipase gene (lipB52) was isolated directly from the genomic DNA of Pseudomonas fluorescens B52 with the genome-walking method, an effective method for isolating lipase gene from bacteria. ...There was an open reading frame (ORF) of 1854 bp, which encoded 617 amino acids. The lipase gene (lipB52) was cloned into expression vector pPIC9K and successfully integrated into a heterologous fungal host, Pichia pastoris KM71, and the recombinant Pichia pastoris were screened with a high throughput method. The recombinant was induced by methanol to secrete active lipase into the culture medium. The recombinant lipase LipB52 was also purified and characterized. The optimum temperature for the purified lipase LipB52 was 40 degrees C at pH 8.0. It exhibited better thermostability and pH stability than its homologs.
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