To explore the intrinsic correlation between the rigidity and distortion degree of polymer backbones and the diffusion dialysis (DD) performance of anion exchange membranes (AEMs), ...pyrrolidinium-functionalized poly(arylene ether sulfone)s containing different Cardo (TPM) moieties were prepared. The structures, properties and DD performance of above AEMs were systematically evaluated. As the Cardo (TPM) group angle increased, the d-spacing, fractional free volume, and membrane area resistance increased, and the microphase separation structures, hydrophilicity, and acid flux decreased, mainly because larger Cardo (TPM) group angles are unfavourable for the close packing of polymer chains in space. Both the Cardo-type and TPM-type AEMs exhibited universal ultrahigh H+/Fe2+ selectivity (S > 3819), which was mainly attributed to the synergistic influence of their rigid narrow ion transport channels, small pore diameter (0.48–0.62 nm) and narrow pore size distribution (0.24–0.68 Å). Additionally, due to the high-density amide groups of TPM units, which decreased the hydrophobicity of the polymer skeleton and induced the formation of an additional transport pathway for Fe2+ through hydrogen bonding interactions, the TPM-type AEMs showed both lower acid flux and selectivity, suggesting that the structure of hydrophilic auxiliary groups should be carefully designed when improving the DD performance of AEMs.
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•AEMs based on pyrrolidinium functionalized Cardo (TPM) poly(arylene ether sulfone)s were prepared.•The structures, properties, and DD performance of prepared AEMs were evaluated.•The correlations between Cardo (TPM) groups and the DD performance were revealed.
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•A novel standardized method for WCSC preparation was developed.•The standardized WCSC method was validated by measuring OC concentrations.•OC concentrations in the WCSC are ...comparable to those in cigarette smoke.•OC losses during the preparation of a standardized WCSC are within 5 %, on average.
Cigarette smoke condensates provide toxic effects data for cigarette products, but the lack of a standardized preparation method yields inconsistent results. This study developed a standardized whole cigarette smoke condensate (WCSC) preparation method, encompassing both particulate and gaseous phases. The goal of this study was to obtain a WCSC of consistent quality by maximizing cigarette smoke concentration. The effectiveness of the method was verified by evaluating the concentrations of total particulate matter (TPM) and organic compounds (OCs: nicotine, triacetin, glycerin, acetaldehyde, and acetone) in the samples at each step of preparing the WCSC from cigarette smoke: (1) generating cigarette smoke using the HCI method, (2) collecting particulate and gaseous phases in cigarette smoke using the Cambridge filter (using modified ISO method) and Dulbecco’s phosphate buffered saline (DPBS; the maximum allowable TPM mass per the one Cambridge filter is 537 mg), (3) extracting TPM collected on the Cambridge filter using methanol (the maximum TPM mass that can be effectively extracted using 5 mL of methanol is 1085 mg), (4) removing methanol from the TPM extract using the N2 evaporation method (the relative recovery of OCs by N2 evaporation is 97.3 ± 0.96 %), and (5) mixing the TPM residue and DPBS-absorbing gaseous phase of cigarette smoke (relative recovery of OCs in the WCSC compared to the TPM residue and the DPBS is 94.7 ± 0.52 % with fairly good reproducibility and RSD values below 5 %).
Since two‐photon microscopy (TPM) can obtain high‐resolution images at cellular and subcellular level and moxifloxacin has multiphoton fluorescence characteristic, our study aimed to explore the ...feasibility and diagnostic value of moxifloxacin‐assisted TPM in different human colorectal diseases, including low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and cancer tissues. Excitation power for TPM imaging with and without moxifloxacin was (2.74 ± 0.16) mW and (0.28 ± 0.02) mW, respectively (p < 0.05). Whether labeled with moxifloxacin or not, images of normal, LGIN, HGIN and cancer tissues all reached the strongest signal at 30 μm from the mucosa. Normalized fluorescence intensity of TPM images with moxifloxacin was approximately 10 times stronger than that without moxifloxacin. Fluorescence signal was differed significantly in normal, LGIN, HGIN and cancer tissues with or without moxifloxacin (p < 0.05). Besides, moxifloxacin‐assisted TPM could present variant tissue features with different colorectal diseases, such as the crypt opening, glandular structure, adjacent glandular space and fluorescence distribution.
Since two‐photon microscopy (TPM) can obtain high‐resolution images at cellular and subcellular level and moxifloxacin has multiphoton fluorescence characteristic, our study aimed to explore the feasibility and diagnostic value of moxifloxacin‐assisted TPM in different human colorectal diseases. Our study preliminarily proved that moxifloxacin‐assisted TPM could effectively discriminate different kinds of colorectal diseases, which might reduce endoscopic biopsies and improve diagnostic efficacy if applied clinically.
In this paper, a mesh stiffness model is developed for profile shifted gears with addendum modifications and tooth profile modifications (TPMs). The time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS), load sharing ...factor (LSF), loaded static transmission error (LSTE) and non-loaded static transmission error (NLSTE) of a profile shifted spur gear pair with TPMs are obtained by the analytical model. The optimum profile modification curve under different amounts of TPM is determined by analyzing the LSTE first. Then, considering the effect of NLSTE, finite element (FE) model of a geared rotor system is established. The system vibration responses under different TPM curves are analyzed and the optimum modification curve is further evaluated by amplitude frequency responses. The results show that the optimum modification curve is related to the amount of TPM and modification coefficients. The comparison of the optimum profile modification curves is evaluated by LSTE and vibration responses, which shows that the optimum modification curve should be determined by evaluating the vibration response of the geared rotor system in the low mesh frequency range.
•Mesh stiffness model of profile shifted gears with profile modification is developed.•Optimum modification curves under different tooth profile modifications are determined.•Optimum modification curves are related to the modification degree.•Optimum modification curves are related to modification coefficients.•Optimum modification curves should also be evaluated by vibration responses.
This article discusses the stability and stabilization problems for the discrete-time semi-Markov jump linear systems (S-MJLSs) with bounded sojourn times. By using the method of multiple-Lyapunov ...functions and the concept of discrete-time semi-Markov kernel, we provide the sufficient conditions for σ-error mean square stability of S-MJLSs. In such conditions, the transition probability matrix of embedded Markov chain is considered, which is more general than the scenarios in previous works that only consider the sojourn time of each subsystem mode. Based on such conditions, the stabilization controller design method is also proposed for the resulting closed-loop systems. Two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Purpose: This paper develops a "light" total productive maintenance (TPM) model suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By design, the system is rudimentary, using a relatively small ...sum of capital investment and resources. The model recommends TPM implementation in three stages, namely plan, improve, and sustain. Design/methodology/approach: The literature review provides the inputs to the model development. Action research is used to demonstrate and verify the effectiveness and practicability of the framework, in an SME manufacturing hydraulic parts in China. Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and awareness of employees were studied before and after the implementation. Findings: The case study shows a significantly improved production efficiency of the equipment. The framework structuralizes TPM deployment and binding different levels of the organization into the program, from planning, implementation to sustaining the practices. To break the barrier of shop-floor resistance, the leader must drive many activities unassisted, it, therefore, necessitates an open endorsement of authority by the steering committee composed of top management. The Prudent pilot run of TPM helped to accelerate the implementation at critical equipment, in addition to cultivating experience and hence confidence among staff. Research limitations/implications: This study provides a pragmatic reference to other researchers and practitioners to promote a light TPM model in SMEs, without losing the essence of TPM. Being action research with the case study in a specific manufacturing industry, the resultant evidence, therefore, is anecdotal. Originality/value: The model adopts a phased method to implement TPM, without aggravating the financial and human resource burden of the enterprise. It promotes the cultivation of employees' TPM awareness and active involvement, which can lay a solid foundation for the wide implementation of TPM in SMEs.
The COVID-19 global epidemic caused by coronavirus has affected the health and other aspects of life for more than one year. Despite the current pharmacotherapies, there is still no specific ...treatment, and studies are in progress to find a proper therapy with high efficacy and low side effects. In this way, Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM), due to its holistic view, can provide recommendations for the prevention and treatment of new diseases such as COVID-19. The muco-obstruction of the airway, which occurs in SARS-CoV-2, has similar features in TPM textbooks that can lead us to new treatment approaches. Based on TPM and pharmacological studies, Cinnamomum verum (Darchini)'s potential effective functions can contribute to SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment and has been known to be effective in corona disease in Public beliefs. From the viewpoint of TPM theories, Cinnamon can be effective in SARS-CoV-2 improvement and treatment through its anti-obstructive, diuretic, tonic and antidote effects. In addition, there is pharmacological evidence on anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, organ-o-protective and anti-depression effects of Cinnamon that are in line with the therapeutic functions mentioned in TPM.Overall, Cinnamon and its ingredients can be recommended for SARS-CoV2 management due to multi-targeting therapies. This review provides basic information for future studies on this drug's effectiveness in preventing and treating COVID-19 and similar diseases.
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•Theoretically Cinnamon can be effective on COVID19 due to anti-obstructive effect.•evidences exert antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant functions of Cinnamon.•organo-protective and antidepression effects ameliorate complications of COVID19.
Current normalization methods for RNA-sequencing data allow either for intersample comparison to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes or for intrasample comparison for the discovery and ...validation of gene signatures. Most studies on optimization of normalization methods typically use simulated data to validate methodologies. We describe a new method, GeTMM, which allows for both inter- and intrasample analyses with the same normalized data set. We used actual (i.e. not simulated) RNA-seq data from 263 colon cancers (no biological replicates) and used the same read count data to compare GeTMM with the most commonly used normalization methods (i.e. TMM (used by edgeR), RLE (used by DESeq2) and TPM) with respect to distributions, effect of RNA quality, subtype-classification, recurrence score, recall of DE genes and correlation to RT-qPCR data.
We observed a clear benefit for GeTMM and TPM with regard to intrasample comparison while GeTMM performed similar to TMM and RLE normalized data in intersample comparisons. Regarding DE genes, recall was found comparable among the normalization methods, while GeTMM showed the lowest number of false-positive DE genes. Remarkably, we observed limited detrimental effects in samples with low RNA quality.
We show that GeTMM outperforms established methods with regard to intrasample comparison while performing equivalent with regard to intersample normalization using the same normalized data. These combined properties enhance the general usefulness of RNA-seq but also the comparability to the many array-based gene expression data in the public domain.
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