Pattern Size Research Articles

P21-activated kinase 4 phosphorylates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor Υ and suppresses skeletal muscle regeneration.

BackgroundSkeletal muscle regeneration is an adaptive response to injury that is crucial to the maintenance of muscle mass and function. A p21‐activated kinase 4 (PAK4) serine/threonine kinase is critical to the regulation of cytoskeletal changes, cell proliferation, and growth. However, PAK4's role in myoblast differentiation and regenerative myogenesis remains to be determined.MethodsWe used a mouse model of myotoxin (notexin)‐induced muscle regeneration. In vitro myogenesis was performed in the C2C12 myoblast cell line, primary myoblasts, and primary satellite cells. In vivo overexpression of PAK4 or kinase‐inactive mutant PAK4S474A was conducted in skeletal muscle to examine PAK4's kinase‐dependent effect on muscle regeneration. The regeneration process was evaluated by determining the number and size of multinucleated myofibres and expression patterns of myogenin and eMyHC. To explore whether PAK4 inhibition improves muscle regeneration, mice were injected intramuscularly with siRNA that targeted PAK4 or orally administered with a chemical inhibitor of PAK4.Resultsp21‐activated kinase 4 was highly expressed during the myoblast stage, but expression gradually and substantially decreased as myoblasts differentiated into myotubes. PAK4 overexpression, but not kinase‐inactive mutant PAK4S474A overexpression, significantly impeded myoblast fusion and MyHC‐positive myotube formation in C2C12 cells, primary myoblasts, and satellite cells (P < 0.01). Conversely, PAK4 silencing led to an 8.7% and a 20.3% increase in the number of multinucleated larger myotubes in C2C12 cells and primary myoblasts. Further, in vivo overexpression of PAK4 by adenovirus injection to mice prior to and after myotoxin‐induced injury led to a 52.6% decrease in the number of eMyHC‐positive myofibres on Day 5 in tibialis anterior muscles as compared with those injected with control adenoviruses (P < 0.01), while Ad‐PAK4S474A showed comparable muscle regeneration parameters. PAK4‐induced repression of muscle regeneration coincided with an increase in phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) expression and a decrease in phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐Akt signalling. In contrast, PAK4 silencing reduced PTEN expression in mice. Consistent with these findings, prodrug of PAK4 inhibitor CZh‐226 (30 mg/kg) orally administered to mice repressed PTEN expression and accelerated myotube formation. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that PAK4 directly phosphorylates PPARγ at S273 to increase its transcription activity, thereby up‐regulating PTEN expression. Importantly, an analysis of the Genotype‐Tissue Expression database showed a positive correlation between PAK4 and PTEN in human skeletal muscle tissues (P < 0.01).Conclusionsp1‐activated kinase 4 is a new member of PPARγ kinase, and PAK4 inhibition may have a therapeutic role as an accelerant of muscle regeneration.

Modification and Patterning of Self‐Assembled Monolayers Using Electrogenerated Etchants and Homogeneous Scavenging Reactions in a Scanning Electrochemical Microscope

AbstractSelf‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of oligoethylene glycol (OEG)‐terminated alkanethiolates on gold, which are used to control protein adsorption and cell adhesion, were patterned by reaction with Br2/HOBr electrogenerated at a microelectrode of a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). The spreading of the Br2 diffusion layers was limited by a homogeneous reaction with cystamine or L‐cystine as scavengers. The influence of process parameters on the patterning process was explored by simulation and combinatorial experiments. The experimental determination of pattern sizes from SECM feedback images was verified by scanning force microscopy. The simulation considered the local Br2 formation as well as Br2 consumption in the reaction with the OEG SAM, by reduction at the gold substrate, and by the homogeneous scavenging reaction. It used experimentally determined diffusion coefficients and rate constants of the scavenging reaction. and Experiments and simulation confirmed the existence of regions in the parameter space, in which the patterning process is robust against small variation of the parameters working distance, pulse time and scavenger excess.

Speckle tweezers for manipulation of high and low refractive index micro-particles and nano-particle loaded vesicles

Abstract Several fundamental research and applications in biomedicine and microfluidics often require controlled manipulation of suspended micro- and nanoscale particles. Speckle tweezers (ST) by incorporating randomly distributed light fields have been used to control micro-particles with refractive indices higher than their medium and to perform manipulation tasks such as guiding and sorting. Indeed, compared to periodic potentials, ST represents a wider possibility to be operated for such tasks. Here, we extend the usefulness of ST into micro-particles of low index with respect to the surrounding. Repelling of such particles by high intensity regions into lower intensity regions makes them to be locally confined, and the confinement can be tuned by changing the average grain intensity and size of the speckle patterns. Experiments on polystyrenes and liposomes validate the procedure. Moreover, we show that ST can also manipulate the nano-particle (NP)-loaded liposomes. Interestingly, the different interactions of NP-loaded and empty liposomes with ST enable collective manipulation of their mixture using the same speckle pattern, which may be explained by inclusion of the photophoretic forces on NPs. Our results on the different behaviors between empty and non-empty vesicles may open a new window on controlling collective transportation of drug micro-containers along with its wide applications in soft matter.

Defining Patterns and Behaviours of Forward Spatter Gunshot Misting

The purpose of this research was to study forward-spatter misting patterns by shooting a firearm through a chamber of blood encased in ballistic gel to determine if there is a relationship between bloodstain pattern size as a function of distance and orientation. There is a lack of research on forward spatter, blood travelling in the direction of a bullet, as most studies focus on back spatter, blood travelling in the opposite direction of a bullet. A bullet was fired through ballistic gel containing a blood chamber, depositing bloodstains onto a large sheet of butcher paper as the target surface. In total, there were 34 trials. The distances observed were 10, 20, 40, and 80 cm, the angles tested were 30°, 60°, and 90°. The orientation between the ballistic gel and paper target varied. A criterion was established to observe the overall area and symmetry of the bloodstain patterns. Statistical analyses indicated a negative linear relation relationship between the bloodstain pattern size and the paper’s angle and distance (R2 = 0.78) and the vertical symmetry of the bloodstain (R2 = 0.87). The orientation between the ballistic gel and paper target can impact the bloodstain pattern’s symmetry and size.

An Experimental and Numerical Study on Acoustic Emission in the Process of Rock Damage at Different Stress Paths

The study of the damage process of rock under external loads is good guidance for geotechnical construction design. The differences in rock damage processes and damage modes under different stress paths are rarely reported. To explore the effects of stress paths on rock damage processes, uniaxial compression experiments under three stress paths were conducted. Numerical simulation is also used to simulate the rock acoustic emission (AE) and fracture process. The results of the study indicate that the maximum acoustic emission events are at the peak of stress, and fractures are mainly formed at this stage. The peak of AE energy occurs before the peak of AE events. The damage pattern and fragmentation size of the rock are related to the way the stresses are loaded. It is noticed that there is appearance of a quiet period of AE events prior to the production of significant cracks. Minor damage to the rock is accompanied by the generation of bright white spots in the specimen, which is due to the high tensile or shear stress in the units. When the stress in these units exceeds their strength, the units break down and tiny cracks appear. As the external load increased, the cracks developed and penetrated, and the specimen was damaged. Under cyclic loading and unloading, the number of AE events increased significantly compared with the controlled displacement and controlled stress loading methods, and the radius of the AE circle became larger and the energy also increased, which indicates a greater degree of destruction of the rock under cyclic loading and unloading. The results of the study are of reference significance for rock crack propagation and fracture mode influenced by stress conditions and provide some guidance for construction design under different working conditions.

Fractal analysis of wildfire pattern dynamics using a Small World Network model

The dynamics of a spreading wildfire is modeled by using a variant of the Small World Network stochastic model (Zekri et al., 2005). The temporal evolution of the fire front width and its pattern’s fractal dimension exhibits an anomalous relaxation process before the extinction of the initial fire-line that is well described by a Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts-like relaxation function. The decrease of the fire pattern’s dimension corresponds to a transition from a structured fire front induced by the collective effects of burning fuels to a dispersed one caused by their individual effects. This anomalous relaxation with an exponent γ≈0.5 indicates the existence of a sub-diffusion process of the spreading fire regardless of the impact length and fuel occupation density. After the extinction of the initial fire-line, the fractal dimension of the fire pattern fluctuates around an average value corresponding to an average spread rate of fire and front intensity. The amplitude of these fluctuations decreases as the impact length of the burning fuel or the occupation density increases. The analysis of the local scale exponents shows that the fractal (self-similar) behavior of the fire pattern is observed in the spatial resolution range delimited by the mean free path and the pattern size. Further discussion on the competition effect between the heat release rate of the flame and the mean free path on fire behavior is provided.

Fagonia stabilized gold nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents

In this study, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Fagonia , as a stabilizing and reducing agent, applying the green approach. The phytochemicals present in Fagonia extract are responsible for the creation of GNPs. The reaction kinetics of Fagonia stabilized GNPs (FGNPs) was observed through the optical absorption spectra and the absorption maxima occurred at 547 nm. The face-centered cubic (FCC) nature of the GNPs was analyzed by the XRD pattern and average crystallite size (D) was measured about 10 nm. TEM images showed roughly spherical shapes of FGNPs. Evidence of successful formation of FGNPs was revealed by FTIR spectra of pure Fagonia and FGNPs. Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of FGNPs exhibited a sharp red emission at about 700 nm. TGA technique showed a weight loss of about 19.3% in FGNPs confirming the presence of ligand onto the surface of GNPs. As-synthesized GNPs were investigated for their biomedical application i.e. antimicrobial activities against E. coli and Cocci. The eco-friendly prepared GNPs could play an important role in antimicrobial applications and their visible emission property may suggest the use of such FGNPs as potential biomarkers.

Numerical simulation of hydrate particle behaviors in gas-liquid flow for horizontal and inclined pipeline

Gas hydrates can form in gas-liquid flow in the submarine natural gas production process, enormously challenging the flow safety. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to describe the turbulent gas-liquid-hydrate multiphase flow system in horizontal and upward inclined pipeline. The population balance model is coupled for predicting the birth and death of hydrate particles, mainly concerning the collision, agglomeration and breakage mechanisms. Then, the effects of gas flow velocity, slurry flow velocity, hydrate volume fraction and pipeline inclination on the flow pattern and particle size distribution are analyzed. Moreover, considering the flow pattern transferred from stratified flow to slug flow, particle behaviors at slug body are also discussed. The results indicate that hydrate particles incline to agglomerate and locate at the bottom layer of pipe. Increase of hydrate volume fraction and hydrate slurry flow velocity will induce the flow pattern transition and intensification of particle agglomeration. Hydrate particle size distribution is more symmetrical at upward inclined part and eventually achieving a balanced state of agglomeration and breakage. The results can provide suggestions for avoiding gas hydrate blockage induced by agglomeration of hydrate particle in practical gas production.

Control of dielectric properties of micropattern printed fabric for radar absorbing structures

Recently, research has been carried out on radar absorbing structures (RASs) that simultaneously perform structural functions and provide low observability. The method of imparting conductivity by mixing a resin with conductive particles, such as carbon nanotubes, has been utilized since the early stages of RASs. This is advantageous because it enables high permittivity through a relatively simple process. However, the electromagnetic properties vary considerably, and the structure fabrication is complicated owing to the high viscosity. Additionally, it is challenging to analytically predict the electromagnetic properties of specimens before their permittivity can be measured. In this study, a high permittivity composite material was investigated, wherein the permittivity can be controlled and predicted analytically. Printed electronics were applied on the surface of glass fabric using a conductive paste to produce a micropattern printed fabric (MPF). The MPF was then studied to predict and control the permittivity of the composite material. In an MPF, conductive particles are distributed into micropatterns designed on the surface of glass fabric; therefore, uniform permittivity was obtained and could be controlled by moderating the parameters of micropatterns, such as pattern size and aspect ratio. The mechanical properties of the MPF were also investigated.

Comparison of Quantitative Morphology of Layered and Arbitrary Patterns: Contrary to Visual Perception, Binary Arbitrary Patterns Are Layered from a Structural Point of View

Patterns found among both living systems, such as fish scales, bones, and tree rings, and non-living systems, such as terrestrial and extraterrestrial dunes, microstructures of alloys, and geological seismic profiles, are comprised of anisotropic layers of different thicknesses and lengths. These layered patterns form a record of internal and external factors that regulate pattern formation in their various systems, making it potentially possible to recognize events in the formation history of these systems. In our previous work, we developed an empirical model (EM) of anisotropic layered patterns using an N-partite graph, denoted as G(N), and a Boolean function to formalize the layer structure. The concept of isotropic and anisotropic layers was presented and described in terms of the G(N) and Boolean function. The central element of the present work is the justification that arbitrary binary patterns are made up of such layers. It has been shown that within the frame of the proposed model, it is the isotropic and anisotropic layers themselves that are the building blocks of binary layered and arbitrary patterns; pixels play no role. This is why the EM can be used to describe the morphological characteristics of such patterns. We present the parameters disorder of layer structure, disorder of layer size, and pattern complexity to describe the degree of deviation of the structure and size of an arbitrary anisotropic pattern being studied from the structure and size of a layered isotropic analog. Experiments with arbitrary patterns, such as regular geometric figures, convex and concave polygons, contour maps, the shape of island coastlines, river meanders, historic texts, and artistic drawings are presented to illustrate the spectrum of problems that it may be possible to solve by applying the EM. The differences and similarities between the proposed and existing morphological characteristics of patterns has been discussed, as well as the pros and cons of the suggested method.

Fast mask model for extreme ultraviolet lithography with a slanted absorber sidewall.

A fast mask model for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is vital to process simulation and resolution enhancement techniques. As the target pattern sizes have decreased, the impact of the absorber sidewall angle (SWA) has become a serious problem. In order to model the EUV mask with a slanted absorber sidewall quickly and accurately, a fast mask model based on the absorber sublayer decomposition is proposed. Since the absorber sidewall is slanted but not perpendicular to the multilayer surface, the absorber is decomposed into several thin pattern layers. For each thin layer, the diffraction is calculated by the edge point pulses model. The light propagation between two layers is calculated by spectrum superposition in the frequency domain with Hopkins frequency shift. The fast EUV mask model with slanted absorber sidewall is established by combining the accurate absorber model and the equivalent layer multilayer model. Simulations and comparisons validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. For the 22 nm vertical line-space pattern, the calculation errors of critical dimension via the proposed model are lower than 0.05 nm for different SWA values.

High-resolution terahertz ptychography using divergent illumination and extrapolation algorithm

By virtue of its versatile recording geometries, ptychography is a promising full-field lensless phase imaging approach in the prosperous research area of terahertz imaging. In this paper, we propose an extrapolation extended ptychographical iterative engine, named as the EE-PIE reconstruction algorithm, to increase the lateral resolution of terahertz ptychography. A divergent spherical beam is applied to illuminate the object, while diffraction patterns are recorded in the Fresnel region. The signal-to-noise ratio of the diffraction patterns is enhanced under divergent probe illumination, while the size of the diffraction patterns is numerically enlarged by the proposed algorithm. Both the reconstruction quality and the resolution are enhanced without adding to the complexity of the setup or increasing the data acquisition time. The proposed method is experimentally demonstrated using a cluster of phylloclades, a patterned polypropylene plate and a Siemens star target. Compared with the planar illumination, the resolution of the divergent spherical illumination is improved by 2.14 times. On this basis, the extrapolation algorithm further improves the experimental resolution by 1.26 times.

Flowering pattern and effective population size in cajuput clonal seed orchard in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Clonal seed orchard (CSO) is established from superior trees vegetative material to produce the genetically improved seed. The flowering pattern and number of clone in CSO influence seed quality, genetic diversity and the possibility of inbreeding. The study aimed to determine the flowering pattern, identify effective population size and effective clone size in cajuput CSO. This was conducted in cajuput CSO in two sites, i.e. Gunungkidul and Sleman, during peak flowering. The cajuput CSO was established in a randomized complete block design using 30 clones in Sleman and Gunungkidul with five and eight replications, respectively. The flowering number of each individual, number of flowering ramet for each clone and number of capsule retention were recorded. The result showed that the clone performance (i.e., flowering and survival rate) in Sleman was better than in Gunungkidul. Two clones (i.e., number 14 of Provenance Suli, Ambon, and number 30 of Provenance Masarete, Moluccas) in Gunungkidul did not produce flower seed. The effective population size in Gunungkidul (Ne=26.20) is higher than in Sleman (Ne=25). However, the effective clone number in Gunungkidul (Nc=25) is lower than in Sleman (Nc=27). Genetic diversity in both CSOs is high (0.98). Therefore, the proportional mixing of seed collected from both CSO is essential to increase the genetic diversity and the realized genetic gain in deploying seeds for operational planting.

Physicochemical, thermal, microstructural and paste properties comparison of four achira (Canna edulis sp.) starch ecotypes

Four Colombian achira (Canna edulis sp.) starch ecotypes were characterised, and their physicochemical, thermal, microstructural and paste properties were compared. Proximate composition, pH, total starch, amylose content, amylopectin content, colour, paste clarity, water retention properties, granule size, crystal structure, and thermal and pasting properties were evaluated. Moisture content, protein content, water absorption and swelling power were greatest (P < 0.05) for “Negra” and “Morada” but “Negra”had more lipid and higher solubility (P < 0.05). The brightest (L* >92) ecotypes (“Nativa” and “Morada”), in addition to ecotype “Negra”, had superior paste clarity compared with ecotype “Verde”. All four ecotypes presented a B-type X-ray pattern and large grain size (>30 μm); only “Morada” presented 40.30% medium-sized-grains. Ecotypes “Nativa” and “Negra” showed the greatest thermal transition temperature, whereas, ecotypes “Verde” and “Morada” had the highest peak viscosity. Each ecotype showed unique properties and specific behaviour that are worth exploring in various applications.

Tunable Reverse Offset Printing with a Stretchable Blanket for Fabricating Flexible Printed Electronics

The cover page shows the illustration of controlled pattern shrinkage in reverse offset printing. Young Tae Cho and co-workers demonstrate in their article, number 2001537, that the pattern size reduction by a flexible blanket material with simple mechanical stretching and releasing shed light on the low-cost, scalable, and high-resolution printing for printed electronics.

밀착 의복 개발을 위한 원단의 방향에 따른 부위별 변화량 및 의복압 연구

It is a generally accepted fact that % fabric stretch of the stretch fabric differs depending on the direction of the grainline. Subtle differences in the direction of the grainline would affect the performance of compression garments. In this study, compression garments, which have the same pattern size, were made by 4 types of grainline combinations. Then, clothing pressure was measured directly on the human body and the mannequin used, and an air-pack type sensor was used to determine whether different grainlines of patterns affect the clothing pressure of four compression garments. Also, fabric strain, load, and displacement were compared with real clothing pressure to investigate their relationships. In the results, it was noted that an accurate % fabric stretch of each grainline direction should be ascertained to design a compression garment that has an optimal pressure distribution.

ANALYSIS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY OF PALM OIL PLANT (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) PALM OIL RESEARCH CENTER (PPKS) BASED ON PRIMARY SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats)

The background of this research was to obtain information of genetic diversity within and among populations of E. guineensis using SSR markers. This research was conduted in Biology Molecular Laboratory, Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute, Marihat, Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra from March 2016 to January 2017. A total of 100 palm oil samples used in this research, including 20 samples from the populations of E. guineensis TR01S, including 20 samples from the populations of E. guineensis BJ022S, including 20 samples from the populations of E. guineensis BJ42S, including 20 samples from the populations of E. guineensis BO52S, and including 20 samples from the populations of E. guineensis MA19S. Calculation and Desciptive analysis in this research using software GeneMarker® version 2.40, software DARwin version 6.0.13 and Microsoft Excel 2007. Research shows that the number of banding patterns detected 104 The banding patterns WITH range 8-9 per primary banding pattern, and the size of the banding patterns ranging from 101 bp -328 bp. mEgCIR2569 primary is the most widely primer to amplify DNA and the average of the percentage of polymorphism in the primer being used by 71%. Analysis dendogram 100 samples All 3 hearts big group of Jatropha genetic WITH BETWEEN Yang ranged from 0.03 to 1.00 Based on the findings of the analysis of genetic relationships WITH Matrix Method using differences Simple Matching Value factorial analysis (PCoA) declared WITH axis I and axis II ON 12 primary SSR of 20.3%. mEgCIR2569 primary is the most widely primer to amplify DNA and the average of the percentage of polymorphism in the primer being used by 71%. Analysis dendogram 100 samples All 3 hearts big group of Jatropha genetic WITH BETWEEN Yang ranged from 0.03 to 1.00 Based on the findings of the analysis of genetic relationships WITH Matrix Method using differences Simple Matching Value factorial analysis (PCoA) declared WITH axis I and axis II ON 12 primary SSR of 20.3%. mEgCIR2569 primary is the most widely primer to amplify DNA and the average of the percentage of polymorphism in the primer being used by 71%. Analysis dendogram 100 samples All 3 hearts big group of Jatropha genetic WITH BETWEEN Yang ranged from 0.03 to 1.00 Based on the findings of the analysis of genetic relationships WITH Matrix Method using differences Simple Matching Value factorial analysis (PCoA) declared WITH axis I and axis II ON 12 primary SSR of 20.3%.

Diagnostic accuracy of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in differentiating malignant from benign solid liver lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived by diffusion-weighted (DW)-MRI in the characterization of solid benign and malignant liver lesions, and to assess their value in discriminating these lesions in daily routine practice. A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted to retrieve studies that used ADC values for differentiating solid benign/dysplastic nodules and malignant liver lesions. A bivariate random-effects model with pooled sensitivity and specificity values with 95% CI (confidence interval) was used. This meta-analysis was performed on the per-lesion basis. Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) plot and area under curve (AUC) were created. A total of 14 original articles were retrieved. The combined (95% CI) sensitivity and specificity of mean ADC values for differentiating solid benign from malignant lesions were 78% (67-86%) and 74% (64-81%), respectively. The pooled (95% CI) positive and negative LRs were respectively 3 (2.3-3.8) and 0.3 (0.21-0.43). The DOR (95% CI) was 10 (7-15). The AUC (95% CI) of the SROC plot was 82% (78-85%). Reporting bias was negligible (p value of regression test = 0.36). Mean size of malignant lesions and breathing pattern of MRI were found to be sources of heterogeneity of pooled sensitivity. ADC measurement independently may not be an optimal diagnostic imaging method for differentiating solid malignant from solid benign hepatic lesions. The meta-analysis showed that ADC measurement had moderate diagnostic accuracy for characterizing solid liver lesions. Further prospective and comparative studies with pre-specified ADC thresholds could be performed to investigate the best MRI protocol and ADC threshold for characterizing solid liver lesions. ADC measurement by DW-MRI does not have a good diagnostic performance to differentiate solid malignant from solid benign lesions. Therefore, we suggest not using ADC values in clinical practice to evaluate solid liver lesions.

Evaluation of Fish Communities in Daya Bay Using Biomass Size Spectrum and ABC Curve

Based on the data collected by four trawl surveys during 2016–2017, we applied biomass size spectrum (BSS) and abundance–biomass comparison (ABC) curve to assess the status of fish communities’ status in Daya Bay, China. Our findings indicated a unimodal pattern and biomass size ranged from −2 to 10 grain levels and the pattern of the Sheldon-type BSS of fish in Daya Bay. Moreover, fishes in the range of four to eight size class were relatively abundant. The highest peak belonged to the two to four grain level (log2 size bins), mainly consisting of Leiognathus brevirostris, Callionymus meridionalis, Callionymus koreanus, Evynnis cardinalis, Trachurus japonicus, and other small fishes. The curves of the BSS in spring and winter were relatively flat and comprised a large curvature. The summer and autumn curves were comparatively steep, and the seasonal curvature was small. The curvatures of the curve were mainly related to a large number of small Evynnis cardinalis and a small number of large-sized Harpadon nehereus and Leiognathus ruconius. In our study, it was observed that the number and the size of the breeding population, trophic levels, migration habits, and other life history characteristics, as well as anthropogenic disturbances (especially overfishing), significantly affected the peak shape, slope, or curvature of the fish BSS, with overfishing being the main factor. The ABC curve exhibited that Daya Bay was in a critical state of disturbance throughout the year. The spring, summer, and autumn were in severe disturbance, while the winter was in moderate disturbance.

Fog catcher brushes with environmental friendly slippery alumina micro-needle structured surface for efficient fog-harvesting

Water pollution has caused serious water shortage, and this trend becomes increasingly serious in the world. Therefore, how to efficiently access water resources is crucial for human beings. Considering the easy blockage problem of traditional fog-harvesting mesh, we used the fog catcher brushes structure to avoid the problem effectively. Besides, most of the modified coatings on fog-harvesting materials contain fluorosilane, which is expensive, harmful and unstable for a long time using. In addition to the general properties of dimethyl silicone oil, hydrogen methyl silicone oil can participate in a variety of chemical reactions and have a good film-forming performance due to its molecular structure containing active Si–H keys compared to the similar studies about the oil-infused coating. Besides, the low contact angle hysteresis of the droplet can benefit for the droplet sliding off the surface, which further improve the fog-harvesting efficiency. In this paper, mechanical cutting method, water bath method, and spray coating method were successfully combined to construct slippery “fog catcher brushes” with alumina micro-needle structured surfaces from micro control to macro design. Furthermore, the effect of wettability, pattern shape and pattern size on fog-harvesting performance were investigated. Experiment results indicated that slippery surface benefited for the fog deposition and transportation compared with the superhydrophilic and plain surface. When the fog droplets passed through the sample with 10-teeth arc-shaped pattern, it would fully contact the surface, and only a small amount of fog droplets escaped from the surface. With the adjacent droplets coalescing, the droplets slided off along both sides of the pattern, then the contact surface decreased gradually from the top to the bottom, so droplets could transport rapidly. Analysis demonstrated that the slippery arc-shaped fog catcher brushes with 10-teeth had a good effect on the capturing and transporting of fog droplets, which offered a way to rationally construct materials with enhanced fog-harvesting performance from micro control to macro design.