Combined Action Research Articles

Different Fracture Liquids under the Action of Enclosure of Dense Sandstone Reservoir Micro-Damage Characteristics Study

The sandstone reservoir in the Lule River group of Mahai East District is strong, densely dense, and the expansion of clay material is very easy to block the pores. Therefore, the new pressure cracks and cationic cluster stabilizers with double-season ammonium salt clay stabilizers are used. Experimental analysis is performed under the circumstances of the perimeter. Use nuclear magnetic real-time testing different fracture liquids to drive the pore structure structure changes before and after the sandstone, combined with differential theory to calculate the fractal dimensions of sandstone. As a result, under the condition of water full, as the perimeter pressure increases, the rocks are increased, and the rocks are increased, and the rocks are increased. The matrix occurs under the common action of the fence and the fracture fluid to prevent the inflation of clay minerals under the combined action of the fence and the fracture fluid, which causes a significant reduction in large holes and increased micropores and medium holes. Exploring different fracture liquids to reservoirs is of great significance to the development of dense sandstone reservoirs.

Effect of Potassium Ferrocyanide on CMP Performance of Ruthenium in H2O2-based Slurries

Abstract As feature size of integrated circuits develops to 7 nm, ruthenium is considered the preferred material to replace traditional Ta/TaN barrier layers. Ruthenium can be electroplated without the need for copper seed crystal layers. However, the removal of the ruthenium barrier layer during the polishing process must be addressed. Therefore, this article studies the promoting effect of potassium ferrocyanide (K4Fe(CN)6) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) containing silicon slurries on the rate of ruthenium chemical mechanical polishing. Experiments have shown that the polishing rate of ruthenium is significantly improved by the combined action of K4Fe(CN)6 and H2O2. The stronger hydroxyl radicals is the main factor in achieving a high Ru polishing rate, which accelerates the dissolution and removal of Ru layers by converting the hard Ru layer into softer RuO2 and RuO3 oxide layers. The dependencies of the chemical properties (such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface morphology) proved that the CMP mechanism using Fenton reaction principally performs chemical oxidation and etching dominant CMP simultaneously. This study is expected to provide ideas and insights for the development and design of a new alkaline polishing solution for ruthenium, which is beneficial for the wider application of ruthenium in the field of integrated circuits.

Inertia of Technology Stocks: A Technology-Explicit Model for the Transition toward a Low-Carbon Global Aluminum Cycle.

Low-carbon technologies are essential for the aluminum industry to meet its climate targets despite increasing demand. However, the penetration of these technologies is often delayed due to the long lifetimes of the industrial assets currently in use. Existing models and scenarios for the aluminum sector omit this inertia and therefore potentially overestimate the realistic mitigation potential. Here, we introduce a technology-explicit dynamic material flow model for the global primary (smelters) and secondary (melting furnaces) aluminum production capacities. In business-as-usual scenarios, we project emissions from smelters and melting furnaces to rise from 710 Mt CO2-eq./a in 2020 to 920-1400 Mt CO2-eq./a in 2050. Rapid implementation of inert anodes in smelters can reduce emissions by 14% by 2050. However, a limitation of emissions compatible with a 2 °C scenario requires combined action: (1) an improvement of collection and recycling systems to absorb all the available postconsumer scrap, (2) a fast and wide deployment of low-carbon technologies, and (3) a rapid transition to low-carbon electricity sources. These measures need to be implemented even faster in scenarios with a stronger increase in aluminum demand. Lock-in effects are likely: building new capacity using conventional technologies will compromise climate mitigation efforts and would require premature retirement of industrial assets.

Investigation on damage evolution mechanism of various FRP strengthened concrete subjected to chemical-freeze-thaw coupling erosion.

The corrosion resistance of FRP-reinforced ordinary concrete members under the combined action of harsh environments (i.e., alkaline or acidic solutions, salt solutions) and freeze-thaw cycles is still unclear. To study the mechanical and apparent deterioration of carbon/basalt/glass/aramid fiber cloth reinforced concrete under chemical and freeze-thaw coupling. Plain concrete blocks and FRP-bonded concrete blocks were fabricated. The tensile properties of the FRP sheet and epoxy resin sheet before and after chemical freezing, the compressive strength of the FRP reinforced test block, and the bending capacity of the prismatic test block pasted with FRP on the prefabricated crack side were tested. The deterioration mechanism of the test block was analyzed through the change of surface photos. Based on the experimental data, the Lam-Teng constitutive model of concrete reinforced by alkali-freeze coupling FRP is modified. The results indicate that, in terms of apparent properties, with the increase in the duration of chemical freeze-thaw erosion, the surface of epoxy resin sheets exhibits an increase in pores, along with the emergence of small cracks and wrinkles. The texture of FRP sheets becomes blurred, and cracks and wrinkles appear on the surface. In terms of failure modes, as the number of chemical coupling erosion cycles increases, the location of failure in epoxy resin sheets becomes uncertain, and the failure plane tilts towards the direction of the applied load. The failure mode of FRP sheets remains unchanged. However, the bonding strength between FRP sheets and concrete decreases, resulting in a weakened reinforcement effect. In terms of mechanical properties, FRP sheets undergo the most severe degradation in the coupled environment of acid freeze-thaw cycles. Among them, GFRP experiences the largest degradation in tensile strength, reaching up to 30.17%. In terms of tensile performance, the sheets rank from highest to lowest as follows: CFRP, BFRP, AFRP, and GFRP.As the duration of chemical freeze-coupled erosion increases, the loss rate of compressive strength for specimens bonded with CFRP is the smallest (9.62% in salt freeze-thaw environment), while the loss rate of bearing capacity is higher for specimens reinforced with GFRP (33.8% in acid freeze-thaw environment). In contrast, the loss rate of bearing capacity is lower for specimens reinforced with CFRP (13.6% in salt freeze-thaw environment), but still higher for specimens reinforced with GFRP (25.8% in acid freeze-thaw environment).

Enhanced removing of cyanobacterium by NZVI coupled with H2O2: Influencing factors and removal mechanisms

AbstractAs advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) is considered to be a highly effective approach for degrading organic pollutants, the simultaneous coagulation and oxidation process by the Fenton‐like reaction of nanoscale zero‐valent iron (NZVI) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is investigated to eliminate the harmful cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in this study, and the process conditions are optimized using the central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM); in addition, the removal efficiency of M. aeruginosa (in terms of chlorophyll a, Chl a) and the verifications of the antioxidant abilities, as well as extracellular organic matters (EOM) and intracellular organic matters (IOM) are investigated under the optimized conditions. Results indicate that H2O2 concentration is the key factor affecting the Chl a removal efficiency, and the maximum Chl a removal reaches 98.10% under the optimized conditions: NZVI concentration 62.82 mg L−1, H2O2 concentration 54.2 mmol L−1, pH 4.38 and rotating speed 67 rpm. The high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.80) of analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrates the RSM model is extremely significant and suitable for experimental results. Moreover, the total organic carbon (TOC) and fluorescent substances (soluble cyanobacteria metabolic byproducts, aromatic proteins II, humic and fulvic acid‐like compounds) for both EOM and IOM are enhanced removal. It is speculated the removal mechanisms of the Fenton‐like process of NZVI/H2O2 for cyanobacterium belongs to the combined actions of the oxidation of Fe(II)/H2O2 and the coagulation of Fe(III), which destroy the defense system and result in the removal of M. aeruginosa.

High‐Performance Self‐Filtering Organic Photodetectors with Photomultiplication Narrowing

AbstractNarrowband organic photodetectors (OPDs) conventionally necessitate high applied biases to accommodate a sufficiently thick active layer for self‐filtering functions. Herein, a concept leveraging the photomultiplication (PM) process is proposed to achieve spectral narrowing in OPDs which can operate at low external biases. This PM narrowing mechanism integrates two distinct functions through a pseudo bilayer structure comprising a photon‐filtering (PF) layer and a PM layer, respectively. The initial PF layer absorbs short‐wavelength photons and selectively permits light within a narrow bandwidth at the band edge of the PF material to enter the subsequent PM layer, thereby initiating the PM effect. The combined action of these two layers synergistically empowers the OPDs to exhibit a pronounced PM effect, resulting in a notably high external quantum efficiency of 5840% at a narrowband peak of 680 nm under a low bias of −5.0 V. Furthermore, the OPDs achieve a substantial −3 dB bandwidth of 5.2 kHz, alongside a maximum detectivity of 2.60 × 1013 Jones. These findings position the OPDs among the top‐performing self‐filtering narrowband detectors, particularly for those capable of functioning at low external biases.

Combined effect of light and glyphosate herbicide on growth rate of marine diatom algae.

The effect of glyphosate herbicide at concentrations of 25, 100, 150 and 200 μg.L-1 on growth characteristics of diatoms C. caspia and T. weissflogii under accumulative growth conditions was investigated. Increasing herbicide concentration in the medium resulted in growth suppression of both species and decreased the final abundance of the cultures in the stationary growth phase. The calculated concentrations of herbicide EC10 and EC50 (10 and 90 μg.L-1 for C. caspia and 7 and 25 μg·L-1 for T. weissflogii, respectively) led to a 10 and 50% reduction in the abundance of the studied cultures relative to the control, are ecologically significant and correspond to the values recorded in aquatic areas. The combined effect of light (in the range of 20-250 µE.m-2.s-1) and glyphosate (calculated concentrations of EC10 and EC50) on the growth characteristics of microalgae was evaluated. An increase in algal sensitivity to light was observed with glyphosate exposure. In both species, the increase in the concentration of glyphosate in the medium led to a decrease in the initial angle of slope of the light curve of growth under conditions of light limitation, a reduction in the value of light saturation of growth, narrowing of the boundaries of the light optimum and an increase in the degree of light inhibition. It is shown that the effect of the combined action of light and glyphosate exceeds the sum of the effects of each factor. This fact should be taken into account in ecotoxicological monitoring when assessing the risks of glyphosate ingress into aquatic ecosystems. An increase in glyphosate concentration in water during periods with high values of solar insolation is potentially dangerous due to a decrease in the photosynthetic activity of algae and a reduction in diatom algae abundance.

Thermal and electric field driven rf breakdown precursor formation on metal surfaces

The phenomenon of electric breakdown poses serious challenges to the design of devices that operate in high electric field environments. Experimental evidence points toward breakdown events that are accompanied by elevated temperatures and dark current spikes, which is attributed to high-asperity nanostructure formation that enhances the local electric field and triggers a runaway process. However, the exact mechanistic origin of such nanostructures under typical macroscopic operational conditions of electric field and magnetic-field-mediated heating remains poorly understood. In this work, we simulate the evolution of a copper surface under the combined action of the electric fields and elevated temperatures. Using a mesoscale curvature-driven surface evolution model, we show how a copper surface can undergo a type of dynamical instability that naturally leads to the formation of sharp asperities in realistic experimental conditions. Exploring the combined effect of fields and temperature rise, we identify the critical regimes that allow for the formation of breakdown precursors. The results show that thermoelastic stresses, while not essential, can significantly lower the critical electric field required for runaway surface instability, which is consistent with experimental observations that thermal effects can increase breakdown rates. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Synergistic Effect of Postbiotic Yeast ABB C22® on Gut Inflammation, Barrier Function, and Protection from Rotavirus Infection in In Vitro Models

Diarrhoea is a serious cause of mortality worldwide that can lead to dehydration, gut barrier function impairment, nutrient malabsorption, and alterations of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis). The current solutions for its management, such as oral rehydration salts (ORS), inhibitors of gut motility, antibiotics, and living probiotics, only partially counteract the mechanisms of the disease and do not provide a full coverage of the problem. The potential risks of the use of living probiotic strains, particularly in immunocompromised patients, can be eliminated with the use of tyndallized (heat-killed) postbiotic bacteria and yeast. ABB C22® is a postbiotic combination of three tyndallized yeasts, namely Saccharomyces boulardii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Kluyveromyces marxianus. To assess the action of the postbiotic combination on diarrhoea, immune and gut epithelial cell signalling assays, the gut barrier formation assay, and the rotavirus gene expression assay were performed. ABB C22® showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect, an induction of the build-up of the gut epithelium, and a degree of protection against rotavirus infection. These experimental studies support the use of the postbiotic ABB C22® as a solution for the management of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal conditions, alone or in combination with existing but incomplete treatments.

Early Pleistocene upper bathyal communities in fault-bounded paleovalleys of the island of Rhodes (Greece)

Abstract Two sediment sections are investigated at Cape Arkhangelos, island of Rhodes, where Pleistocene marine sediments crop out in horsts and grabens of a Mesozoic basement. There, hemipelagic sediments characterized by upper bathyal communities are atypically mixed with much shallower faunal components because they were deposited close to rugged coastal landforms. Biostratigraphic analyses show that the sections were deposited between 1.8 and 0.9 Ma, and between 1.8 and 1.6 Ma, respectively. By combining the planktonic/benthic foraminiferal ratio with 31 bathymetric indicators chosen among extant species of benthic foraminifera, mollusks, and bryozoans, we show that relative sea-level fluctuations can be reconstructed in these atypical settings despite the proximity of steep slopes that favored transportation of allochthonous fauna. The shallow-water components (including gravels and calcareous algae) were transported downslope by the combined action of gravity, currents, and tectonic disturbance that promoted drowning (with a maximum flooding recorded at ca. 1.7 Ma) and then uplift of fault-bounded paleovalleys that formed during the Early Pleistocene. Abrupt facies changes and age differences between sections have been triggered by the irregular paleotopography of the Mesozoic basement, which fostered differential depositional settings, with outer to middle neritic deposits above the horsts and upper bathyal deposits in paleovalleys.

Influence of image forces on charge-dipole interaction in two-layered systems.

Interaction between a fixed point electric charge Q and a freely rotating point electric dipole with the magnitude P pinned near a plane interface between two dispersionless insulators with different dielectric permittivities ɛ1 and ɛ2 has been considered. It was shown that, as a result of this interaction and the interaction of the dipole with the polarization charges induced at the interface by the charge Q and the dipole itself, there arise regions where the dipole can possess either one or two equilibrium orientations. The spatial distributions of the electrostatic dipole energy Wtotal under the combined action of the charge Q and the induced interface polarization charges, as well as the equilibrium dipole orientations (orientation maps), the boundaries between the regions with different numbers of dipole orientations, and their evolution with the variation of problem parameters (the charge and dipole magnitudes, the mismatch between ɛ1 and ɛ2, and the charge-interface distance) were calculated. It was shown that there can emerge local minima of Wtotal, which may play the role of traps for dipoles (in particular, excitons in layered structures), and the corresponding requirements for the problem parameters were found. Most results were obtained in analytical form. The model can be applied to various physical systems, for instance, polar molecules, excitons, and trions in layered structures.

Construct Phenylethanoid Glycosides Harnessing Biosynthetic Networks, Protein Engineering and One‐Pot Multienzyme Cascades

AbstractPhenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) exhibit a multitude of structural variations linked to diverse pharmacological activities. Assembling various PhGs via multienzyme cascades represents a concise strategy over traditional synthetic methods. However, the challenge lies in identifying a comprehensive set of catalytic enzymes. This study explores biosynthetic PhG reconstruction from natural precursors, aiming to replicate and amplify their structural diversity. We discovered 12 catalytic enzymes, including four novel 6′‐OH glycosyltransferases and three new polyphenol oxidases, revealing the intricate network in PhG biosynthesis. Subsequently, the crystal structure of CmGT3 (2.62 Å) was obtained, guiding the identification of conserved residue 144# as a critical determinant for sugar donor specificity. Engineering this residue in PhG glycosyltransferases (FsGT61, CmGT3, and FsGT6) altered their sugar donor recognition. Finally, a one‐pot multienzyme cascade was established, where the combined action of glycosyltransferases and acyltransferases boosted conversion rates by up to 12.6‐fold. This cascade facilitated the reconstruction of 26 PhGs with conversion rates ranging from 5–100 %, and 20 additional PhGs detectable by mass spectrometry. PhGs with extra glycosyl and hydroxyl modules demonstrated notable liver cell protection. This work not only provides catalytic tools for PhG biosynthesis, but also serves as a proof‐of‐concept for cell‐free enzymatic construction of diverse natural products.

Construct Phenylethanoid Glycosides Harnessing Biosynthetic Networks, Protein Engineering and One-Pot Multienzyme Cascades.

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) exhibit a multitude of structural variations linked to diverse pharmacological activities. Assembling various PhGs via multienzyme cascades represents a concise strategy over traditional synthetic methods. However, the challenge lies in identifying a comprehensive set of catalytic enzymes. This study explores biosynthetic PhG reconstruction from natural precursors, aiming to replicate and amplify their structural diversity. We discovered 12 catalytic enzymes, including four novel 6'-OH glycosyltransferases and three new polyphenol oxidases, revealing the intricate network in PhG biosynthesis. Subsequently, the crystal structure of CmGT3 (2.62 Å) was obtained, guiding the identification of conserved residue 144# as a critical determinant for sugar donor specificity. Engineering this residue in PhG glycosyltransferases (FsGT61, CmGT3, and FsGT6) altered their sugar donor recognition. Finally, a one-pot multienzyme cascade was established, where the combined action of glycosyltransferases and acyltransferases boosted conversion rates by up to 12.6-fold. This cascade facilitated the reconstruction of 26 PhGs with conversion rates ranging from 5-100 %, and 20 additional PhGs detectable by mass spectrometry. PhGs with extra glycosyl and hydroxyl modules demonstrated notable liver cell protection. This work not only provides catalytic tools for PhG biosynthesis, but also serves as a proof-of-concept for cell-free enzymatic construction of diverse natural products.

Effect of Dicarboxylic Acid Chain Length on the Tribological Properties of Aqueous Polyether Esters

ABSTRACTThis article presents the preparation of environmentally friendly water‐soluble lubricant additives. Adipic acid (AA), sebacic acid (SA) and dodecanedioic acid (DA) were individually subjected to esterification reactions with polyethylene glycol 1500 (PEG1500) to prepare a class of water‐soluble polyether esters (AAPEE1500, SAPEE1500 and DAPEE1500) (referred to as XAPEE1500s) that exhibit excellent water solubility and do not contain environmentally harmful elements. First, the molecular structure characterisation and functional group analysis of these additives will be conducted using an infrared spectrometer and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. Subsequently, the frictional properties of the additives in the base liquid (deionised water) will be investigated using an SRV‐V tribometer, Falex pin‐on‐disc tribometer and screw torque tester. The surface morphology of wear scars will be characterised and analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a non‐contact 3D profilometer. Finally, the lubrication mechanism of the DAPEE1500 additive will be analysed using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the optimal lubrication performance is achieved when the added mass fraction of DAPEE1500 is at 3%. Compared with 0.5 wt% DAPEE1500, the average friction coefficient of 3 wt% DAPEE1500 decreased from 0.285 to 0.122, and the wear volume decreased from 25.52 × 10−5 μm3 to 10.96 × 10−5 μm3. The lubrication mechanism of polyether ester is the result of the combined action of its polar ester functional groups and long carboxylic acid chains in the structure. These polar functional groups can form a relatively firm adsorption film on the friction surface, while the long carboxylic acid chains act as a brush‐like isolating layer, thus demonstrating superior anti‐wear and anti‐friction performance.

The Combination of Buchloe dactyloides Engelm and Biochar Promotes the Remediation of Soil Contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cause serious stress to biological health and the soil environment as persistent pollutants. Despite the wide use of biochar in promoting soil improvement, the mechanism of biochar removing soil PAHs through rhizosphere effect in the process of phytoremediation remain uncertain. In this study, the regulation of soil niche and microbial degradation strategies under plants and biochar were explored by analyzing the effects of plants and biochar on microbial community composition, soil metabolism and enzyme activity in the process of PAH degradation. The combination of plants and biochar significantly increased the removal of phenanthrene (6.10%), pyrene (11.50%), benzo[a]pyrene (106.02%) and PAHs (27.10%) when compared with natural attenuation, and significantly increased the removal of benzo[a]pyrene (34.51%) and PAHs (5.96%) when compared with phytoremediation. Compared with phytoremediation, the combination of plants and biochar significantly increased soil nutrient availability, enhanced soil enzyme activity (urease and catalase), improved soil microbial carbon metabolism and amino acid metabolism, thereby benefiting microbial resistance to PAH stress. In addition, the activity of soil enzymes (dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase and laccase) and the expression of genes involved in the degradation and microorganisms (streptomyces, curvularia, mortierella and acremonium) were up-regulated through the combined action of plants and biochar. In view of the aforementioned results, the combined application of plants and biochar can enhance the degradation of PAHs and alleviate the stress of PAH on soil microorganisms.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF A SINGLE-VAULT STATION OF THE SHALLOW CONTOUR INTERVAL OF THE KHARKIV METRO

Purpose. The development of the Kharkiv metro is characterized by the development of new structures and technologies for their construction. The extensive metro system in the city of Kharkiv and the presence of deep and shallow underground stations require scientific substantiation of these complex underground objects. The method of the scientific article is the numerical analysis of a single-vaulted shallow contour interval station, the vault of which has a special design (perforated reinforced concrete blocks). Methodology. To achieve the goal, the design of the station with a prefabricated vault and "slurry wall" was analyzed, as well as the engineering and geological conditions of its construction. A finite-element model of a single-vault station of a shallow contour interval was created. The model reproduces the geometric dimensions of the real structure of the Kharkiv metro, the layers of soil in which it is laid, the conditions of adjacency of "slurry wall", as well as perforated vault blocks. The model is based on volumetric finite elements and more fully reflects the interaction of the station with the surrounding massif. The calculation of the finite-element model for the joint effect of the self-weight of the model and the moving load of the NK-80 (combined loading) was carried out. Findings. The value of the stress-strain state of a single-vault station of the shallow contour interval was obtained. Analysis of displacements and stresses at concentration points was carried out. The situation of overstressing of the station structure and the appearance of cracking zones in the case of combined load action was revealed. Originality. The value of the stress-strain state was obtained with a combination of self-weight and moving load of NK-80, as well as with the separation of the portion of the latter. The obtained results indicate the need to revise the design of the shallow contour interval station, the vault of which has a special design (perforated reinforced concrete blocks). Practical value. It consists of the obtained results, which show the vector of development of station structures of the Kharkiv metro.

Investigation of the molecular mechanism of Smilax glabra Roxb. in treating hypertension based on proteomics and bioinformatics.

Smilax glabra Roxb. (named tufuling in Chinese, SGR) has both medicinal and edible value. SGR has obvious pharmacological activity, especially in anti-inflammation and treating immune system diseases. This study investigated differential protein expression and its relationship with immune infiltration in hypertension treated with SGR using proteomics and bioinformatics. N-Nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used to replicate the hypertension model, with SGR administered by gavage for 4 weeks, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in each group of rats was measured using the tail-cuff method every 7 days. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) expressions in each group, followed by the detection of protein expression in rat liver samples using the tandem mass tag (TMT) technique. Additionally, hub targets were output using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and ALDH2 expression in the liver and serum in each group of rats was detected by ELISA. Moreover, R4.3.0 software was used to evaluate the relationship between acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and immune cells, and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was performed to identify the components of SGR. Furthermore, the association between components of SGR and ALDH2 was analyzed with molecular docking and LigPlot1.4.5 software. Compared with the model group (L-NAME), SGR at high and medium doses reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure while reducing TC, TG, and LDL-C levels and increasing HDL-C levels in hypertensive rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, 92 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using TMT. These DEPs participated in peroxisome functioning, fatty acid degradation, and other signaling pathways, with ALDH2 being the core target and correlated with various immune cells. In addition, 18 components were determined in SGR, with 8 compounds binding to ALDH2. Molecular docking was performed to confirm that SGR played a role in hypertension based on the combined action of multiple components. In conclusion, SGR has an antihypertensive effect on L-NAME-induced hypertension, with ALDH2 as its hub target. SGR may regulate neutrophil, regulatory T cell, and other cells' infiltration by targeting ALDH2, thereby contributing to the treatment of hypertension.

Microbiological Mechanisms of Collaborative Remediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil with Bacillus cereus and Lawn Plants.

Severe cadmium contamination poses a serious threat to food security and human health. Plant-microbial combined remediation represents a potential technique for reducing heavy metals in soil. The main objective of this study is to explore the remediation mechanism of cadmium-contaminated soil using a combined approach of lawn plants and microbes. The target bacterium Bacillus cereus was selected from cadmium-contaminated soil in mining areas, and two lawn plants (Festuca arundinacea A'rid III' and Poa pratensis M'idnight II') were chosen as the target plants. We investigated the remediation effect of different concentrations of bacterial solution on cadmium-contaminated soil using two lawn plants through pot experiments, as well as the impact on the soil microbial community structure. The results demonstrate that Bacillus cereus promotes plant growth, and the combined action of lawn plants and Bacillus cereus improves soil quality, enhancing the bioavailability of cadmium in the soil. At a bacterial suspension concentration of 105 CFU/mL, the optimal remediation treatment was observed. The removal efficiency of cadmium in the soil under Festuca arundinacea and Poa pratensis treatments reached 33.69% and 33.33%, respectively. Additionally, the content of bioavailable cadmium in the rhizosphere soil increased by up to 13.43% and 26.54%, respectively. Bacillus cereus increased the bacterial diversity in the non-rhizosphere soil of both lawn plants but reduced it in the rhizosphere soil. Additionally, the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes, which have potential for heavy metal remediation, increased after the application of the bacterial solution. This study demonstrates that Bacillus cereus can enhance the potential of lawn plants to remediate cadmium-contaminated soil and reshape the microbial communities in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils.

Glulam frame corner joints built of birch plywood and mechanical fasteners: An experimental, analytical, and numerical study

This study investigates frame corner joints built of birch plywood plates and glulam elements connected via self-tapping screws. Analytical calculations based on the fastener group’s torsional moment resistance, the proposed fastener group’s elastic and post-elastic load-bearing criteria, and the design formulas in Eurocode 5 were performed to predict the connection capacity in both elastic and post-elastic stages. A combined action check formula was adopted to predict the capacity of birch plywood plates and glulam elements. Frame corner specimens constructed with three different plywood thicknesses were planned to study the influence on global behavior and rotational stiffness. The specimens were intentionally designed so that failure occurred either in plywood or in glulam, in order to examine the robustness and validity of analytical calculation models. Another supplementary test group with 21 mm plywood and fewer fasteners was also designed and tested, in which the plastic yield of fasteners was expected. The test results of this supplementary group served to calibrate the analytical model that predicts the elastic and post-elastic capacity of the connection group. As a result of the comparison, the analytical calculations gave reasonable predictions on the failure of plywood, glulam, and the capacity of the fastener group. Only when the exposed moment exceeded the post-elastic limit of the fastener group did the plastic yielding of fasteners become observable. Moreover, numerical finite element models adopting the foundation zone-modeling scheme were constructed, which were proven to capture all test configurations' linear loading stiffness satisfactorily.

Evaluation Of The Accuracy Of The Generated Wave Fields In The Coastal &amp; Ocean Basin (Cob)

The Coastal &amp; Ocean Basin (COB) wave tank facility is located in the Flanders Maritime Laboratory at the Ostend Science Park, Belgium. The COB and its associated testing services are designed (Troch et al. 2016) to facilitate the needs of the offshore renewable energy sector, coastal and offshore engineering community and offer the opportunity to academia, companies and government agencies, to test scale models under combined action of waves and currents in any relative direction, to develop innovative designs. The exploitation is managed by the consortium Ghent University, KU Leuven and Flanders Hydraulics. The COB is operational since March 2023 and has since then successfully completed its first projects on wave energy converters (WECFarm), wave diffraction study around a monopile (PhairywinD) and floating offshore photovoltaic islands (MarineSpots).