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An open-source deep learning model for predicting effluent concentration in capacitive deionization
No full textTo effectively evaluate the performance of capacitive deionization (CDI), an electrochemical ion separation technol-ogy, it is necessary to accurately estimate the number of ions removed (effluent concentration) according to energy consumption. Herein, we propose and evaluate a deep learning model for predicting the effluent concentration of a CDI process. The developed deep learning model exhibited excellent prediction accuracy for both constant current and constant voltage modes (R2 >= 0.968), and the accuracy increased with the data size. This model was based on the open-source language, Python, and the code has since been distributed with proper instructions for general use. Owing to the nature of the data-oriented deep learning model, the findings of this study are not only applicable to conventional CDI but also to various types of CDI (membrane CDI, flow CDI, faradaic CDI, etc.). Therefore, by referring to the examples shown in this study, we hope that this open-source deep learning code will be widely used in CDI research
Beta-Ray-Bremsstrahlung Contributions to Short-Lived Delayed Photoneutron Groups in Heavy Water Reactors
No full textHard bremsstrahlung produced during the deceleration of fission-product beta rays in nuclear fuel is proposed as a source of delayed photoneutrons (PNs) in heavy water reactors. Electron Gamma Shower (EGS5) code simulations of coupled electron-photon transport in seven fuel element geometries immersed in an infinite heavy water medium confirm high-energy beta rays produce sufficient bremsstrahlung yields with photon energies greater than the D(gamma,n)H-1 reaction threshold such that the beta-ray contribution to an isotopic PN yield can be comparable to or greater than yields from hard gamma rays emitted during the isomeric transition of the daughter, especially for some short-lived fission products with high-intensity direct-to-ground-state beta transitions where the beta ray and antineutrino carry away the majority of the Q-value. Some fission products that do not have hard gamma rays in their decay schemes are in fact PN precursors due to the beta-ray-bremsstrahlung contribution. The lack of evaluated nuclear data for many short-lived fission products, data reliability issues of fission products with decay scheme data, cross-section library effects, and possible decay-chain/parent-feeding phenomenon are affecting the accuracy of PN group parameters derived from a small number of legacy experiments. The reanalysis of two legacy PN experiments supports the existence of a very-short-lived direct-delayed neutron group
SIMPLE ZEROS OF L-FUNCTIONS AND THE WEYL-TYPE SUBCONVEXITY
No full textLet f be a self-dual primitive Maass or modular forms for level 4. For such a form f, we define N-f(8)(T):=|{rho is an element of C : |xi(rho)| <= T, rho is a non-trivial simple zero of Lf(8)}|. We establish an omega result for N-f(8)(T), which is N-f(8)(T) = Omega(T (1)(6) (c)) for any is an element of E > 0. For this purpose, we need to establish the Weyl-type subcon-vexity for L-functions attached to primitive Maass forms by following a recent work of Aggarwal, Holowinsky, Lin, and Qi
The average analytic rank of elliptic curves with prescribed torsion
No full textWe show that the average analytic rank of elliptic curves with prescribed torsion (Formula presented.) is bounded for every torsion group (Formula presented.) under Generalized Riemann Hypothesis (GRH) for elliptic curve (Formula presented.) -functions and, in addition, some moment conditions for (Formula presented.), (Formula presented.), and (Formula presented.), (Formula presented.)
Polyelectrolyte-silica composite quorum quenching biomedia as new antifouling agents for anaerobic membrane bioreactor treatment
No full textAnaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have received increasing attention because of their low energy requirements; however, membrane fouling is the major deterrent to their widespread application. Here, we report a novel composite biomedium composed of quorum quenching (QQ) bacteria (Rhodococcus sp. BH4), porous silica, and polyelectrolytes for biofouling control in AnMBRs. The facultative character of BH4 is described for the first time, showing its QQ activity (the pseudo-first-order rate constant of degradation of Noctanoyl-L-homoserine lactone, 15.3-16.3 h-1) and biofilm inhibition (33-44 % reduction compared to the control) under anaerobic conditions. The results showed that the composite QQ media caused a significant delay in AnMBR membrane fouling (>2.5 and 1.9 times, respectively) compared to the cases with no or vacant media. The QQ media maintained >90 % of its original tensile strength after 40 days of use in the AnMBR, exhibiting more excellent durability than hydrogel-based media. QQ media contributed to the reduced production of biopolymers (e.g., proteins) and signal molecules (e.g., short- and medium-chain acyl-homoserine lactones) in the AnMBR. Finally, the QQ media did not impact anaerobic treatment performance, such as organic removal or methane production. The findings of this study demonstrate the QQ efficacy and sustainability of the BH4 strain and its composite media in AnMBRs
A simple protein histidine kinase activity assay for high-throughput inhibitor screening
No full textBacterial two-component systems (TCSs), which typically consist of a sensor histidine kinase (HK) and a response regulator (RR), have been investigated as attractive antibacterial drug targets. Unfortunately, current HK activity assays based on the quantification of autophosphorylated HKs are hampered by the instability of the phosphohistidine (pHis) product, rendering them ill-suited for high-throughput screenings. To address this challenge, we developed a simple HK activity assay using readily available reagents, which we have termed AUDECY (AUtophosphorylation-DEphosphorylation CYcle assay). Instead of trying to preserve the fragile pHis, we deliberately decomposed it with a pHis-specific phosphatase to constitute an ATPase-like cycle for convenient colorimetric measurements. This kinetic assay was successfully employed for the kinetic characterization of E. coli EnvZ and for high-throughput inhibitor screening of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) VanS, of which histidine kinase activity was hardly detectable with conventional methods. Through the screening, we identified OSU-03012, a potent VanS HK inhibitor, which sensitized VRE toward vancomycin, highlighting the potential of AUDECY in HK inhibitor discovery
ZNF212 promotes genomic integrity through direct interaction with TRAIP
No full textTRAIP is a key factor involved in the DNA damage response (DDR), homologous recombination (HR) and DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair. However, the exact functions of TRAIP in these processes in mammalian cells are not fully understood. Here we identify the zinc finger protein 212, ZNF212, as a novel binding partner for TRAIP and find that ZNF212 colocalizes with sites of DNA damage. The recruitment of TRAIP or ZNF212 to sites of DNA damage is mutually interdependent. We show that depletion of ZNF212 causes defects in the DDR and HR-mediated repair in a manner epistatic to TRAIP. In addition, an epistatic analysis of Zfp212, the mouse homolog of human ZNF212, in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), shows that it appears to act upstream of both the Neil3 and Fanconi anemia (FA) pathways of ICLs repair. We find that human ZNF212 interacted directly with NEIL3 and promotes its recruitment to ICL lesions. Collectively, our findings identify ZNF212 as a new factor involved in the DDR, HR-mediated repair and ICL repair though direct interaction with TRAIP
Mechanical properties of NaSICON: a brief review
No full textA variety of rechargeable Na batteries are under development for use in energy storage systems. For these batteries, a Na-ion conducting solid electrolyte is desired. One such electrolyte under consideration is NaSICON (Na Super Ionic Conductor). One important aspect of the NaSICON electrolytes that has been overlooked is their mechanical properties. Such information is required if NaSICON has to be used as a solid electrolyte in rechargeable Na batteries that exhibit long life cycle and high power. This paper reviews the elastic, plastic, and fracture properties of NaSICON electrolytes. Young's modulus values for NaSICON range from similar to 56 to 97 GPa with Poisson's ratio similar to 0.26. Hardness values determined by micro-indentation for NaSiCON are 4.4-4.9 GPa. The value of the Gilman-Chin parameter suggests the bonding in NaSICON is covalent. As a result of its covalent bonding, NaSICON exhibits a high Peierls which leads to low fracture toughness, with K-IC values similar to 1-1.5 MPa m(0.)(5). The fracture strength of NaSICON is between 50 and 110 MPa and is controlled by the amount and size of the second-phase ZrO2 particles
Development of a Stiffness-Adjustable Articulated Paddle and its Application to a Swimming Robot
No full textStiffness of a swimming appendage is the key mediator between thrust generated and its beating frequency. Due to the advantageous role of flexible propulsors, they are widely adopted in previous swimming robots. As an optimal propulsor, stiffness is highly dependent on its beating frequency, and stiffness modulation is crucial when a robot is swimming with multiple beating frequencies. Herein, a novel swimming paddle that can switch two different stiffness states by sliding a laminate inside and its application to a swimming robot is studied. This paddle has 8 articulated joints and 20 passive flaps to achieve drag asymmetry with minimum control effort. A semiempirical model to estimate the stiffness change in good accuracy is also studied. The thrust modulation caused by stiffness change is comprehensively studied by varying frequency and range of motion. In addition, a nontethered swimming robot propelled by a bilateral pair of paddles is developed to investigate when and how the stiffness adjustment is useful. There is a threshold frequency dividing two regimes where one stiffness excels the other stiffness with respect to cost of transport. Finally, it is shown that the paddle thickness is closely related to the necessity of stiffness change mechanism
Strategies for designing metal???organic frameworks with superprotonic conductivity
No full textThe use of metal ions and organic linkers to generate metal???organic frameworks (MOFs) with various functionalities, porosity, and dimensionality has attracted the attention of researchers. MOFs may serve as possible proton conductors in fuel cells. Introducing guest molecules inside the pores of MOFs, which can work as either proton carriers or proton-conducting media due to the resulting hydrogen bonding network, significantly enhances proton conductivity. This review summarizes various key strategies implemented previously to achieve superprotonic conductivity in MOFs. It categorizes the strategies, identifying prominent features needed to attain superprotonic conductivity in MOFs. The role of proton carriers and proton-conducting media, along with MOFs??? framework and functionalization, is briefly discussed to clarify the significance of applied strategies. Finally, the review concludes with remarks on the prospects for future development of MOFs as proton conductors, categorizing them in terms of strategies and conceptual approaches