State of the Art in Wave Energy Conversion Technologies in China

This paper reviews the advancements in wave energy converter technologies in China, covering device design, performance evaluation, and system control techniques. It highlights power control technologies in wave energy conversion, including adaptive control, model predictive control, clutch control, clamp control, resistive load control, approximate optimal speed control, nonlinear control, and intelligent control methods. Through an analysis of these technologies, the study outlines the future directions and challenges in wave energy development in China, while also proposing potential pathways for optimizing the performance of wave energy conversion devices.

Evaluation of the Effect of Fe₂O₃ as a Sintering Additive on Densification, Microstructure, and Thermal Stability of Al₂O₃

This study investigates the fabrication of alumina-based (Al₂O₃) ceramics using pressureless sintering, employing hematite (Fe₂O₃) as a sintering aid. Fe₂O₃ powders were synthesized via combustion and incorporated into Al₂O₃ concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%. The samples were sintered at 1400 °C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and density measurements using the Archimedes method. The results demonstrated that the addition of Fe₂O₃ increased the densification of Al₂O₃ ceramics, with the highest densification (~85%) observed in samples containing 1.0 and 2.0 wt.% Fe₂O₃. XRD analysis identified only the corundum phase of Al₂O₃, suggesting that Fe₂O₃ was incorporated without forming secondary phases. However, Rietveld refinement calculations revealed distortions in the unit cell volume, which contributed to lowering the melting temperature of Al₂O₃, thereby facilitating sintering. SEM images showed that Fe₂O₃ acted as a grain growth inhibitor, resulting in finer microstructures with smaller grains. EDX mapping indicated that Fe ions preferentially accumulated in regions with higher pore concentrations. Thermal analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability in Fe₂O₃-containing samples. Overall, the study confirms that Fe₂O₃ serves as an effective sintering aid, enhancing densification and thermal stability while refining the microstructure of Al₂O₃ ceramics. These findings contribute to the development of optimized ceramic materials for high-performance applications.

Kinetic and Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Heating Rate on Combustion Performance of Cokes

Under the continuous advancement of the dual-carbon strategy, enhancing the efficient utilization of coke as the primary fuel in sintering processes holds significant importance. This study employed multiscale techniques (XRD, Raman, TG-DTG, DSC, and kinetics) to investigate four types of coke (JY, JH, MJ, WG), establishing a structure-activity relationship between microstructure, heating rate, and combustion behavior for sintering optimization. With high graphitization and ordered structure, JH coke shows rising activation energy under increasing heating rates, which is ideal for stable low-temperature combustion and SO2 reduction. In contrast, WG coke exhibits a defective structure and declining activation energy, enabling rapid high-temperature combustion (>800 °C) with minimal CO emissions via staged combustion. JY coke displays erratic activation energy due to high ash and structural disorder, necessitating pre-screening and blending for controllability. MJ coke achieves stable activation energy through compositional homogeneity and moderate structure, balancing dynamic temperature gradients but requiring ash distribution control to limit liquid phase formation. Heating rate critically modulates combustion: elevating from 5 to 15 °C/min broadens combustion intervals, shifts exothermic peaks from narrow-sharp to broad-high profiles, and enhances reactivity. WG excels at high rates with peak combustion rates and optimal performance. These findings reveal structure-dependent activation energy trends: ordered structures (e.g., JH) resist thermal activation at higher rates, while defective configurations (e.g., WG) promote reactivity. Strategically, JH and WG suit complementary thermal zones. This work provides a structure-activity framework for coke selection and technical pathways to achieve energy-efficient, low-emission sintering, advancing the industry’s low-carbon transition.

Integrated Habitat Assessment of a Protected Fish Species in the Upper Yangtze River, China: Connectivity and Suitability

In the context of anthropogenic climate change, dam construction, and other human activities, the biodiversity of freshwater fish is rapidly declining. The Upper Yangtze River Basin (UYRB) is a hotspot for hydropower development and is home to numerous endemic and rare freshwater fish species, most of which are on the brink of extinction. Schizothorax chongi is an endangered and protected fish species endemic to the UYRB, with significant economic and ecological value. However, the potential habitat of its wild population has not been reported, which hampers conservation efforts for this valuable species. This study utilized the Dendritic Connection Index (DCI) and Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to assess habitat connectivity in the UYRB and habitat suitability for S. chongi during the periods 1970–2000 and 2001–2020, respectively. The results show that S. chongi habitats underwent significant reduction during the 2001–2020 period, with the total length of medium and high suitability habitats decreasing by 51.7%. However, high suitability habitats in the southern section of the middle and lower Jinsha River, which is located in the upper and middle part of the UYRB, did not experience a noticeable reduction. Despite the relatively high habitat suitability maintained in the southern section of the middle and lower Jinsha River, connectivity has significantly declined. Restoring connectivity reduced by dam construction in this region is critically urgent. This study is the first to conduct a watershed-scale assessment of fish habitat integrating habitat suitability and connectivity providing valuable insights for local governments to develop specific conservation measures and plans. It can offer a valuable reference for researchers in the field of freshwater fish conservation.

Recent Advances and Challenges in Engineering Metabolic Pathways and Cofactor Regeneration for Enhanced n-Butanol Biosynthesis

The biological production of n-butanol has seen renewed interest due to the need for the production of sustainable aviation fuel, for which n-butanol serves as a direct precursor. However, biological production of this alcohol is still limited by the fermentation’s low titers and low yields. Many approaches have been taken to increase n-butanol production, such as using alternative host organisms, utilizing heterologous enzymes for acid reduction and cofactor regeneration, and protein engineering of critical enzymes in the n-butanol production metabolic pathway. This review highlights key achievements made in each of these areas and shows the potential for these approaches in increasing n-butanol production. The review closes by pinpointing the challenges and limitations in these approaches and recommends that the ultimate approach to n-butanol production should inevitably utilize noncanonical redox cofactors to drive metabolic flux for butanol biosynthesis from glucose.

A Shear Stress Model for Magnetorheological Fluid with High Volume Fraction

Shear stress prediction in high-concentration magnetorheological fluids (MRFs) faces limitations due to the oversimplified magnetic dipole interactions and neglect of multibody effects in classical single-chain models, particularly under conditions (30–40 vol.%) where stress prediction errors start escalating nonlinearly. To address this gap, based on the classic single-chain model, this study proposed a new revised calculation method that integrates three novel components: (1) a distance-weighted dipole interaction model incorporating material-specific correction factors, (2) dynamic chain reconstruction mechanisms accounting for magnetic aggregation under shear deformation, and (3) transverse field overlap parameters quantifying anisotropic field distributions. Validated against Lord Corp.’s MRF-132DG, the proposed approach reduces shear stress prediction root-mean-square error (RMSE) by 71.7% (from 27.40 kPa to 7.76 kPa). It rectifies the R-square metric from −0.9236 to 0.8457, outperforming existing models in high-concentration regimes. The work resolves the bottleneck of modeling chain-to-network transition behaviors through Monte Carlo simulations with energy barrier analysis, revealing how localized dipole rearrangement governs macroscopic rheological responses. The methodology’s adaptability to pre-saturation magnetization stages further enables systematic evaluation of multi-dipole interaction thresholds critical for high-performance MRF engineering applications.

USP11 Promotes Endothelial Apoptosis-Resistance in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by Deubiquitinating HINT3

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive, lethal, and incurable disease of the pulmonary vasculature. A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) with Affymetrix microarray analysis data exhibited elevated histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 3 (HINT3) in the lung samples of PAH compared to control subjects (failed donors, FD) and the positive correlations of HINT3 with deubiquitinase USP11 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2). In this study, we aim to investigate the roles and interplay of USP11 and HINT3 in the apoptosis resistance of PAH. The levels of USP11 and HINT3 were increased in the lungs of idiopathic PAH (IPAH) patients and Hypoxia/Sugen-treated mice. USP11 and HINT3 interacted physically, as shown by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs). HINT3 was degraded by polyubiquitination, which was reversed by USP11. Furthermore, HINT3 interacted with the anti-apoptotic mediator, BCL2. Overexpression of USP11 increased BCL2 content, congruent to elevated lung tissue levels seen in IPAH patients and Hypoxia/Sugen-treated mice. Conversely, the knockdown of HINT3 function led to a depletion of BCL2. Thus, we conclude that USP11 stabilizes HINT3 activation, which contributes to endothelial apoptosis-resistance of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells in PAH. This can potentially be a novel therapeutic target for ubiquitination modulators for PAH.

The Journal of Smart Energy Systems Research, a Critical Platform for Interdisciplinary Study of Energy Science and Artificial Intelligence

Metabolic Regulation of T Cell Exhaustion

Cytotoxic CD8 T cells play a crucial role in controlling tumor progression. However, T cells infiltrating tumor tissues upregulate inhibitory receptors, reduce cytokine secretion, and lose their killing function, a state known as exhaustion. Thus, preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion is essential for sustaining a successful antitumor immune response. Recent studies have shown that T cell immunity not only requires the three primary signals—antigen receptor signaling, costimulation, and cytokines—but is largely shaped by endogenous and ambient metabolites as a fourth regulatory signal. Therefore, metabolic changes in the tumor microenvironment, caused by tumor cell proliferation and tissue remodeling, have a significant impact on the function of tumor-infiltrating T cells. This paper will review mechanisms by which three major types of metabolites—carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids—influence T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment, providing insights and directions for exploring metabolic targets in antitumor immunity.

Additive Manufacturing of Tungsten-Alloyed Tantalum from Polyhedral Shaped Powder Blends

Tantalum and tungsten are completely soluble in each other and are used in applications in the combined form of so-called tantaloys. They provide high melting points (Ta: 3017 °C, W: 3410 °C) and excellent corrosion resistance while maintaining high ductility for W contents up to 7.5 wt%. Providing good resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, Ta-W alloys are attractive candidates for applications in fusion reactors. This study demonstrated the feasibility of producing chemically homogeneous bulk material with fine grained microstructure from non-spherical powder blends with up to 7.5% tungsten using laser powder bed fusion (PBF-L/M). It is observed that cracking remains a challenge, especially with the increase in tungsten content. The effect of rapid solidification on the microhardness of up to 385 HV0.1 for 7.5% W is discussed. It provides initial indications of the possibility of achieving higher strengths and paves the way for further alloy development with regard to the additive manufacturing of this alloy family.