Distinct Degrees Research Articles

Microwave- and Oven-Heat Moisture Treatment of Broken Rice Flour and the Improvement in Flat Rice Noodle Quality

The characteristics of starch used in the production of rice noodles greatly influenced the product quality. Some rice noodle varieties are made from rice flour, which is typically derived from broken rice grains. Broken rice flour has been associated with a higher level of starch damage that could adversely affect the cooking, textural, and eating qualities of noodles. Hydrothermal treatments have been proposed as a technique for improving starch functionality. This study aims to investigate the effect of different techniques employed in heat moisture treatment (HMT) applied to broken rice (MR263) and their impact on flat rice noodle quality. Rice flour adjusted to 20% moisture content was subjected to two HMT techniques; oven-heat moisture treatment (O-HMT) at 110°C for 3 h and microwave-heat moisture treatment (M-HMT) at 119 W for 5 min. HMT reduced the swelling capacity and solubility of the flour. M-HMT flour had the lowest swelling capacity, whereas O-HMT flour exhibited the lowest solubility. The oven-HMT reduced the L* and whiteness index values of both rice flour and noodles, whereas the microwave-HMT recorded comparable color parameters as the non-treated samples. HMT improved the cooking quality of flat rice noodles, resulting in lower water absorption and cooking loss. Noodles made with oven-treated flour had the lowest cooking loss, whereas the microwave-treated flour resulted in noodles with the lowest water absorption. O-HMT produces noodles with greater improvement in gel texture. Despite the reduced whiteness of the O-HMT noodle, it received higher consumer acceptance in terms of appearance, color, flavor, and hardness. Heat moisture treatment can be used as an economical viable technique for enhancing the quality of flat rice noodles. The varying noodle quality resulting from both oven- and microwave-HMT is attributed to a distinct degree of molecular changes in the starch components, which eventually impact the overall product quality.

The Phyloperiodic Approach Removes the “Cryptic Species” and Puts forward Multilevel Organismal Diversity

The notion of the “cryptic species” has recently become an important agenda in biodiversity research. In this study, we show, by applying a periodic-like morphological and molecular framework to the nudibranch genus Cadlina from the world’s least explored locations in the Kuril Islands in the northwestern Pacific, including a description of six new species, that the term “cryptic species” should be removed from biodiversity research terminology. We explicitly show that different species of this complex have various degrees of molecular phylogenetic distances and morphological distinctness, revealing a truly multilevel system of fine-scale differences and similarities. Therefore, to designate any of these species as “cryptic” or “non-cryptic” would be completely arbitrary, non-operational, and generally meaningless. By this, we finally strongly propose to remove the notion of “crypticity” and the term “cryptic species” (in the sense of an “indistinguishable species”) from the arsenal of modern biology, including phylogeny and taxonomy. The importance of fine-scale species differentiation in the multilevel framework is shown for addressing conservation and global warming challenges. Six new species are named after scientists who have not always received the honours they deserve, including two women who did not receive their respective Nobel Prizes.

An Updated Fault Coupling Model Along Major Block‐Bounding Faults on the Eastern and Northeastern Tibetan Plateau From a Stress‐Constrained Inversion of GPS and InSAR Data

AbstractLarge block‐bounding faults on the Tibetan plateau are significant geological structures that accommodate tectonic movements and accumulate stress, leading to large earthquakes. Quantifying the interseismic slip deficit rate helps to better assess the earthquake potential. We combine available InSAR (2015–2020) and interseismic GPS data to determine fault coupling along 14 major block‐bounding faults. Spatially dense InSAR measurements remarkably improve the resolution of the coupling model. Combined with a GPS‐constrained block model, we examine the performance of the inversion approach with the stress constraint and the common Laplacian smoothing based on both synthetic tests and real data. We suggest that, for continental strike‐slip faults, adding the stress constraint can mitigate unphysical coupling distributions due to unreasonable assumptions or modeling artifacts, reducing the model uncertainty and improving the accuracy of the coupling model. This is particularly useful for segments featured by a highly heterogeneous distribution of coupling along the transition zone from locking to creeping region, partially‐coupling segment, and junction zone between main and subsidiary faults. We present a large‐scale fault coupling map along the major block‐bounding faults on the northeastern and eastern Tibetan plateau, highlighting the distinct degrees of fault coupling and lateral variations. The collage of coupling maps along different faults demonstrates the kinematic features over a broad time scale during earthquake cycles ranging from early to late interseismic phases, such as the segments ruptured during the 2001 Kokoxili earthquake and the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake.

Deep learning-based human pose estimation towards artworks classification

ABSTRACT Human pose detection has attracted more attention in recent years, particularly with various applications such as human-computer interaction, motion recognition, action prediction, gaming, sign language translation, video surveillance and human tracking. For example, it is challenging to analyse the proportions of the human body in historical artwork collections for classifying genres, styles, and artists. Unfortunately, most of existing detection methods do not generalize well across artworks, resulting in poorly recognized differences in the proportions. Therefore, we present a large-scale analysis of 130,000+ paintings and ninety-nine human pose estimation (HPE) methods to show that different artistic styles have a distinct average degree of human proportions. We have further verified that the Topdown Heatmap + Scnet algorithm with a threshold of 0.3 can classify artworks effectively and fully distinguish historical epochs. This analysis is a baseline for researchers to discover new techniques towards finding the canon of art based on symmetry and proportions.

Optimal distinctiveness of short-term rental property design

The short-term rental market remains highly competitive, requiring that hosts should identify effective strategies to position their products for desirable performance. This study investigates the optimal balance beyond dyadic choice between differentiating from or conforming to competitors, in the dimensions of properties’ functional and aesthetic design. We hypothesize U-shaped distinctiveness-performance relationships considering high legitimacy pressure and low strategy effectiveness in the short-term rental context. Moreover, the moderating effects of factors including online review volume and listing age are examined. Analyzing a sample of 99,757 Airbnb listings in Texas, the findings reveal different patterns of product positioning between functionality and aesthetics. The moderate degree of distinctiveness in functionalities leads to the worst performance while in aesthetics generating the best outcome. This study contributes to the hospitality literature by introducing and testing optimal distinctiveness within the short-term rental market. The findings also provide positioning guidance for short-term rental listings under different conditions.

An insight into the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of T-stiffened composite structures with through-interface debonding defects

A robust 3D finite element model framework was established to capture the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of intact and through-interface debonding T-stiffened composite structures based on the progressive damage model and the cohesive zone model. Meanwhile, specimens with and without interface debonding defects were fabricated to validate the reliability and robustness of the proposed modeling framework. Finally, a parametric study was conducted on the types of interfacial debonding to further explore the effect on the buckling load, delamination initiation load, and ultimate load-carrying capacity of the composite stiffened structure. The results indicate that the load-carrying capacity of both single interface defects and double interface defects decreases gradually with increasing defect length and converges to a constant value. The reductions were 28.31% and 47.68%, respectively, compared to the intact structure. Interestingly, interfacial debonding has the most significant effect on the ultimate load at the 1/4 position. Moreover, interface debonding defects not only severely weaken the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the structure but also significantly alter the post-buckling path and failure mechanism, resulting in distinct degrees of deformation and damage morphology.

First-Principles High-Throughput Inverse Design of Direct Momentum-Matching Band Alignment van der Waals Heterostructures Utilizing Two-Dimensional Indirect Semiconductors.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have attracted widespread attention in photocatalysis. Herein, we employ a novel strategy utilizing first-principles high-throughput inverse design of 2D Z-scheme heterojunctions for photocatalysis. This approach is anchored in high-throughput screening conditions, which are fundamentally based on the characteristics of carrier mechanisms influenced significantly by Z-scheme heterojunctions. A pivotal element of our screening process is the integration of the indirect-to-direct bandgap transition with momentum-matching band alignment in k-space, guiding us to combine two 2D indirect bandgap monolayers into direct Z-scheme heterojunctions characterized by pronounced interlayer excitons. Various stacking modes introduce extra and distinct degrees of freedom that can be useful for tuning the properties of heterostructures, encompassing factors such as components, stacking patterns, and sequences. We demonstrate that various stacking modes can facilitate the indirect-to-direct bandgap transition and the emergence of interlayer excitons. These findings provide exciting opportunities for designing Z-scheme heterojunctions in photocatalysis.

Distinctive biotransformation and biodefluorination of 6:2 versus 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acids by municipal activated sludge

Fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs) represent an important group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) given their high toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and frequent detection in landfill leachates and PFAS-impacted sites. In this study, we assessed the biodegradability of 6:2 FTCA and 5:3 FTCA by activated sludges from four municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the New York Metropolitan area. Coupling with 6:2 FTCA removal, significant fluoride release (0.56∼1.83 F-/molecule) was evident in sludge treatments during 7 days of incubation. Less-fluorinated transformation products (TPs) were formed, including 6:2 fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acid (6:2 FTUCA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA). In contrast, little fluoride (0.01∼0.09 F-/molecule) was detected in 5:3 FTCA-dosed microcosms, though 25∼68% of initially dosed 5:3 FTCA was biologically removed. This implies the dominance of “non-fluoride-releasing pathways” that may contribute to the formation of CoA adducts or other conjugates over 5:3 FTCA biotransformation. The discovery of defluorinated 5:3 FTUCA revealed the possibility of microbial attacks of the C-F bond at the γ carbon to initiate the transformation. Microbial community analysis revealed the possible involvement of 9 genera, such as Hyphomicrobium and Dechloromonas, in aerobic FTCA biotransformation. This study unraveled that biotransformation pathways of 6:2 and 5:3 FTCAs can be divergent, resulting in biodefluorination at distinctive degrees. Further research is underscored to uncover the nontarget TPs and investigate the involved biotransformation and biodefluorination mechanisms and molecular basis.

Recent Progress in Enzymatic Preparation of Chitooligosaccharides with a Single Degree of Polymerization and Their Potential Applications in the Food Sector.

Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS), derived from chitin, have garnered considerable attention owing to their diverse biological activities and potential applications. Previous investigations into the bioactivity of COS often encountered challenges, primarily stemming from the use of COS mixtures, making it difficult to discern specific effects linked to distinct degrees of polymerization (DP). Recent progress underscores the significant variation in the biological activities of COS corresponding to different DPs, prompting dedicated research towards synthesizing COS with well-defined polymerization. Among the available methods, enzymatic preparation stands out as a viable and environmentally friendly approach for COS synthesis. This article provides a comprehensive overview of emerging strategies for the enzymatic preparation of single COS, encompassing protein engineering, enzymatic membrane bioreactors, and transglycosylation reactions. Furthermore, the bioactivities of single COS, including anti-tumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and plant defense inducer properties, exhibit close associations with DP values. The potential applications of single COS, such as in functional food, food preservation, and crop planting, are also elucidated.

White and gray matter alterations in bipolar I and bipolar II disorder subtypes compared with healthy controls - exploring associations with disease course and polygenic risk.

Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) show alterations in both gray matter volume (GMV) and white matter (WM) integrity compared with healthy controls (HC). However, it remains unclear whether the phenotypically distinct BD subtypes (BD-I and BD-II) also exhibit brain structural differences. This study investigated GMV and WM differences between HC, BD-I, and BD-II, along with clinical and genetic associations. N = 73 BD-I, n = 63 BD-II patients and n = 136 matched HC were included. Using voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics, main effects of group in GMV and fractional anisotropy (FA) were analyzed. Associations between clinical and genetic features and GMV or FA were calculated using regression models. For FA but not GMV, we found significant differences between groups. BD-I patients showed lower FA compared with BD-II patients (ptfce-FWE = 0.006), primarily in the anterior corpus callosum. Compared with HC, BD-I patients exhibited lower FA in widespread clusters (ptfce-FWE < 0.001), including almost all major projection, association, and commissural fiber tracts. BD-II patients also demonstrated lower FA compared with HC, although less pronounced (ptfce-FWE = 0.049). The results remained unchanged after controlling for clinical and genetic features, for which no independent associations with FA or GMV emerged. Our findings suggest that, at a neurobiological level, BD subtypes may reflect distinct degrees of disease expression, with increasing WM microstructure disruption from BD-II to BD-I. This differential magnitude of microstructural alterations was not clearly linked to clinical and genetic variables. These findings should be considered when discussing the classification of BD subtypes within the spectrum of affective disorders.

Exploring Swedish pea varieties suitable for protein isolation, focusing on antinutrients and off-flavors

Six different pea (Pisum sativum) varieties and their proteins isolated via wet fractionation were screened to find varieties with outstanding protein functionality but minimum contents of antinutrients and off-flavor volatiles. A broad difference in emulsion activity (44.7–74.2 m2/g) and foaming capacity (163–210%) were detected between the varieties. Pea variety significantly affected LOX activity of the sample, yielding outstanding decreases (1.6–28.6 times) for all varieties following protein isolation. Variety Eso had the highest hexanal increase ratio (820 times) while variety Balder had the lowest (32 times) after the protein isolation. The total concentration of volatile off-flavors, phytate, and saponin increased during the protein isolation with distinctive degrees for each variety. The content of the antinutrients in the proteins was substantially affected by the variety. Altogether, purpose-specific selection of pea varieties based on their desired potential could enable pea proteins with fewer antinutrients and off-flavors.

Determining internal coordinate sets for optimal representation of molecular vibration.

Arising from the harmonic approximation in solving the vibrational Schrödinger equation, normal modes dissect molecular vibrations into distinct degrees of freedom. Normal modes are widely used as they give rise to descriptive vibrational notations and are convenient for expanding anharmonic potential energy surfaces as an alternative to higher-order Taylor series representations. Usually, normal modes are expressed in Cartesian coordinates, which bears drawbacks that can be overcome by switching to internal coordinates. Considering vibrational notations, normal modes with delocalized characters are difficult to denote, but internal coordinates offer a route to clearer notations. Based on the Hessian, normal mode decomposition schemes for a given set of internal coordinates can describe a normal mode by its contributions from internal coordinates. However, choosing a set of internal coordinates is not straightforward. While the Hessian provides unique sets of normal modes, various internal coordinate sets are possible for a given system. In the present work, we employ a normal mode decomposition scheme to choose an optimal set. Therefore, we screen reasonable sets based on topology and symmetry considerations and rely on a metric that minimizes coupling between internal coordinates. Ultimately, the Nomodeco toolkit presented here generates internal coordinate sets to find an optimal set for representing molecular vibrations. The resulting contribution tables can be used to clarify vibrational notations. We test our scheme on small to mid-sized molecules, showing how the space of definable internal coordinate sets can significantly be reduced.

Association Between Patient-Reported Enablement and Customer Satisfaction in 140 055 Primary Care Patients After Doctor Appointment

Customer satisfaction and enablement are key facets of healthcare quality. We examined their interplay within a large sample of predominantly working-age primary care patients. Our dataset encompasses 140 055 customer satisfaction reports, with concurrently gathered measures of patient enablement, delivered after doctor appointments. We used the customer satisfaction (CSAT) score and the patient enablement instrument (PEI). Additionally, we assessed 3 dimensions of customer satisfaction in conjunction with the CSAT score and calculated a sum score. Age and gender were included as covariates. Our findings from linear regression analyses are twofold: (1) customer satisfaction and enablement are interconnected, yet they maintain a degree of distinctiveness, as indicated by a beta coefficient of 0.45 on a 5-point scale, and (2) within the customer experience on a dichotomous scale, negative experiences exert a more substantial impact (betas between −0.77 and −0.97) on enablement than positive experiences (betas between 0.24 and 0.40). In addition, a dose–response relationship was observed between the sum of customer experiences and PEI. Ensuring that patients’ voices are acknowledged, their queries are addressed, and they have comprehensible guidance regarding the progression of their treatment, are fundamental aspects of interactions with patients.

Exploring the effect of the covalent functionalization in graphene-antimonene heterostructures.

The growing field of two-dimensional (2D) materials has recently witnessed the emergence of heterostructures, however those combining monoelemental layered materials remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we present the chemical fabrication and characterization of a heterostructure formed by graphene and hexagonal antimonene. The interaction between these 2D materials is thoroughly examined through Raman spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, revealing that this can be considered as a van der Waals heterostructure. Furthermore, we have explored the influence of the antimonene 2D material on the reactivity of graphene by studying the laser-induced covalent functionalization of the graphene surface. Our findings indicate distinct degrees of functionalization based on the underlying material, SiO2 being more reactive than antimonene, opening the door for the development of controlled patterning in devices based on these heterostructures. This covalent functionalization implies a high control over the chemical information that can be stored but also removed on graphene surfaces, and its use as a patterned heterostructure based on antimonene and graphene. This research provides valuable insights into the antimonene-graphene interactions and their impact on the chemical reactivity during graphene covalent functionalization.

Investigation on the damage mechanism of micro-cutting surface layer of aluminum alloy 7075 with different heat treatment processes

This paper investigates the machinability and microscopic surface damage mechanisms of aluminum alloy 7075 subjected to different heat treatment processes during micro-cutting. Focusing on T6 and T73 heat-treated aluminum alloy 7075, the study employs a combination of experiments and simulations to analyze micro-cutting surface morphology, cutting forces, microstructure evolution, residual stress, and damage characteristics. The findings reveal that micro-cutting of aluminum alloy 7075 after T6 heat treatment exhibits no apparent speed sensitivity in the primary cutting force, while T73 heat treatment demonstrates noticeable speed sensitivity. The surface microscopic damage during micro-cutting is influenced by both cutting speed and depth, resulting in distinct forms and degrees of damage under varying conditions. An analysis of the residual compressive stress field indicates that the magnitude of residual compressive stress on the micro-cutting surface determines crack initiation, and the maximum depth of residual compressive stress dictates crack propagation. Microscopic damage in T6 heat-treated aluminum alloy 7075 predominantly occurs in the second and third deformation zones, while T73 heat treatment leads to most damage in the third deformation zone. Notably, crack propagation is evident in T6 heat treatment at any cutting speed with a cutting depth of 150 μm, whereas it is inconspicuous in T73 heat treatment at cutting speeds below 540 m/min. Furthermore, at cutting speeds below 540 m/min and a cutting depth of 150 μm, T6 heat-treated micro-cutting is prone to oxidative wear. In contrast, at a cutting speed of 72 m/min and a cutting depth of 150 μm, the predominant wear form in T73 heat-treated micro-cutting is oxidation wear. This study underscores the intricate interplay between heat treatment processes, cutting conditions, and microscopic damage in aluminum alloy 7075 micro-cutting. The nuanced insights provided contribute to a deeper understanding of the machining characteristics of this alloy, paving the way for improved processing methodologies.

Widespread circulation and transmission risk of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis at the livestock-wildlife-environment interface in a Mediterranean agro-forestry farmstead

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiological agent of paratuberculosis, a chronic infection affecting ruminants and other species worldwide. Information on the ecological factors that increase infection risk at the livestock-wildlife-environment interface remains scarce. Thus, this work aimed at determining which factors modulate the exposure of a mammal community within a Mediterranean agro-forestry farmstead to MAP. Through field, molecular and ecological modeling approaches, MAP prevalence, distribution and spatial risk at the livestock-wildlife-environment was estimated in the study area by screening 436 samples (cattle, n = 150; wildlife, n = 206; soil, n = 80). Using molecular detection of IS900 as proxy, MAP was identified in ten wild mammal species. Being a central prey of mesocarnivores in Portugal, the high prevalence of MAP in the wild rabbit (19%) may be related with red fox's (22%). MAP was also detected in cattle managed in the farmstead (animal and herd prevalence, 54% and 100%) and in soil (44%), which may perpetuate intraspecies and interspecies transmission. Wildlife diversity showed a positive influence on MAP presence in wild mammals, while wildlife abundance showed a negative effect. Land use variables exerted distinct degrees of impact upon MAP detection in specific groups of mammals: mixed forest cover showed positive influence on carnivores, and shrubland showed positive effect on wild rabbits. The prevalence of MAP in cattle showed a negative influence on the detection of MAP in lagomorph, which may stem from wild rabbit lower density and avoidance of cattle areas. Based on explanatory variables, the spatial prediction of MAP occurrence in wildlife indicated two hotspots with increased exposure risk but future studies are needed to confirm this projection.This work represents the most comprehensive molecular survey of MAP occurrence and determinants in Mediterranean agroecosystems leveraging the principles and tools of community ecology, debating potential biological and ecological effects underlying MAP transmission.

Synergy of Co0-Co2+ in cobalt-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation: Quantifying via reduced and exposed atoms fraction

Cobalt (Co)-based catalysts exhibit exceptional versatility in CO2 hydrogenation, yielding valuable fuels and chemicals like methane, methanol, and ethanol. Generally, the Co0–Co2+ synergy plays a vital role in promoting this process, yet a quantifying descriptor remains absent. This study presents a series of CoAl-CO32− layered double hydroxide (LDH) derived catalysts synthesized through coprecipitation. By tuning precipitation pH and reduction temperature, various Co-based catalysts with distinct reduction degrees and dispersions were obtained. By introducing the descriptor "fraction of reduced and surface exposed Co (FCo,r,s)", the Co0–Co2+ synergy is effectively quantified for CO2 hydrogenation. The balanced Co0–Co2+ synergy in catalysts yields a moderate FCo,r,s, resulting in high turnover frequencies (TOFs) for CO2 conversion via HCOO intermediate formed at the Co0–Co2+ interfaces. The HCOO species can be hydrogenated to form methane and methanol, as well as coupled with CHx intermediate followed by hydrogenation to form ethanol. Conversely, catalysts with excessively high or low FCo,r,s display poor Co0–Co2+ synergy and consequently lower TOFs. A clear volcano-shaped relationship between FCo,r,s and TOFs for CO2 conversion, methane, methanol, and ethanol formation underscores its significance as a key determinant of Co-based catalysts' CO2 hydrogenation performance. The catalyst with optimized Co0–Co2+ synergy (precipitated at pH 8.5 and reduced at 750 oC) possesses a high CO2 conversion rate of 26.8 mmol gcat−1 h−1 at a low temperature (i.e., 180 oC).

Material removal mechanisms affected by milling modes for defective KDP surfaces

Surface defects which are caused by diamond fly-cutting can degrade the optical characteristics of KDP crystals by inducing the laser damage and resultantly shortening the service life when working in the condition of extremely high-power laser irradiations. The ball-end milling repair can totally remove the defects and correspondingly enhance the ability of the KDP crystals to resist laser damage. However, because of the existence of pull-milling, push-milling, down-milling, and up-milling in the complex machining trajectory, it is of great challenge for soft-brittle KDP crystals to achieve full plastic domain milling of repair points for obtaining ultra-smooth repaired surface. In this study, theoretical models of the maximum uncut chip thickness (UCT) considering the defect are constructed in the various milling modes. The cutting force and surface morphology affected by milling modes on the defective surface are simulated using a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model. Combined with the simulations, micro-milling tests are employed to confirm the influence of milling modes on the material removal mechanisms for defective KDP crystals by cutting force, surface morphology, surface roughness and specific cutting energy (SCE). It is found that defects could reduce the maximum UCT to distinct degrees in the various milling modes. Defects have a greater influence on the maximum UCT in the push-milling mode than that in the pull-milling mode, while the influence is the same in the up-milling and down-milling modes. Interestingly, the ductile removal mode occurs on the both defect-free and defective surfaces in the pull-milling mode when the feed per tooth (fz) is 0.5 µm/z. In contrast, the brittle-ductile transition caused by surface defects occurs in the other three milling modes. Furthermore, defects would lead to severer size effect in the all milling modes. When the fz is 0.1 µm/z, for the defective surface, the SCE is larger and the ploughing effect is more significant in the push-milling mode compared to the pull-milling mode. More importantly, as a result of the difficulty of chip discharge, the SCE is greater in the up-milling mode than in the down-milling mode on the defective surface. This work reveals the influence mechanism of milling modes on the material removal process for defective KDP crystals and offers a theoretical foundation and technical value for improving the repaired surface quality of functional KDP crystals served as the optical devices.

Exciton Polaritons in Emergent Two-Dimensional Semiconductors.

The "marriage" of light (i.e., photon) and matter (i.e., exciton) in semiconductors leads to the formation of hybrid quasiparticles called exciton polaritons with fascinating quantum phenomena such as Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) and photon blockade. The research of exciton polaritons has been evolving into an era with emergent two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors and photonic structures for their tremendous potential to break the current limitations of quantum fundamental study and photonic applications. In this Perspective, the basic concepts of 2D excitons, optical resonators, and the strong coupling regime are introduced. The research progress of exciton polaritons is reviewed, and important discoveries (especially the recent ones of 2D exciton polaritons) are highlighted. Subsequently, the emergent 2D exciton polaritons are discussed in detail, ranging from the realization of the strong coupling regime in various photonic systems to the discoveries of attractive phenomena with interesting physics and extensive applications. Moreover, emerging 2D semiconductors, such as 2D perovskites (2DPK) and 2D antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductors, are surveyed for the manipulation of exciton polaritons with distinct control degrees of freedom (DOFs). Finally, the outlook on the 2D exciton polaritons and their nonlinear interactions is presented with our initial numerical simulations. This Perspective not only aims to provide an in-depth overview of the latest fundamental findings in 2D exciton polaritons but also attempts to serve as a valuable resource to prospect explorations of quantum optics and topological photonic applications.

Two-step physico-biological production of xylooligosaccharides from sugarcane leaves

The production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from sugarcane leaves (SCL) presents high potential to the nutraceutical industries as SCL are cheap and readily available. In this study, a two-step process using hydrothermal pretreatments and enzymatic hydrolysis are developed and optimized for XOS production to obtain high conversion yield and product specificity. Two operation methods for hydrothermal pretreatments, parr reactor, and microwave reactor were compared to extract xylan from SCL. Two hemicellulose enzymes, hemicellulase Amano and xylanase (X2753) were then tested for enzymatic hydrolysis of extracted xylan to XOS. Conditions with high conversion yield after pretreatments were found at 180 °C for 30 min (parr reactor) and 800 W for 8 min (microwave reactor): producing 4.95 mg/mL (22.11 %w/v) and 3.49 mg/mL (15.61 %w/v) XOS respectively. Subjection of derived liquor from hydrothermal pretreatment to enzymatic hydrolysis produced a maximum of 9.42 mg/mL (41.87 %w/v) and 7.81 mg/mL (34.71 %w/v) of XOS for hemicellulase Amano and xylanase (X2753) respectively. The hemicellulase resulted in XOS with degree of polymerization (DP) of 2–5 for the various pretreatment conditions whereas xylanase yielded XOS of DP 2 to 4. However, a negative effect on enzymatic hydrolysis was observed for microwave-assisted pretreated samples. This study revealed that combination of physico-biological methods on SCL could result in high XOS yield with distinct degree of polymerization.