Increase In Content Research Articles

Green Computing Optimization for Multi-Region Streaming Platforms

Global streaming services are always under pressure to control their resource usage effectively while still offering millions of users worldwide flawless experiences. As user demands for continuous, high-quality content increase, it is becoming increasingly important to strike the right balance between low latency, high availability, and resource efficiency. However, the infrastructure required to meet these demands often results in significant energy consumption and operational costs, presenting a major challenge for sustainability. The application of green computing principles to multi-region cloud infrastructure optimization is examined in this article, with an emphasis on tactics that minimize energy consumption and operational costs without compromising the performance that users rely on. Platforms can preserve their competitive advantage while making significant progress toward environmental responsibility by implementing more intelligent, energy-efficient procedures.

A bHLH transcription factor RrUNE12 regulates salt tolerance and promotes ascorbate synthesis.

RrUNE12 binds to the RrGGP2 promoter to facilitate biosynthesis of AsA in Rosa roxburghii fruit. Furthermore, RrUNE12 upregulates antioxidant-related genes and maintains ROS homeostasis, thereby improving tolerance to salt stress. L-ascorbic acid (AsA) plays an essential role in stress defense as a major antioxidant in plant cells. GDP-L-galactose pyrophosphatase 2 (RrGGP2) has been previously identified as the key structural gene operating in AsA overproduction in Rosa roxburghii fruit. However, the transcriptional regulation of RrGGP2 in response to abiotic stress is not fully elucidated. In this study, we identified a bHLH transcription factor, RrUNE12, whose transcription level significantly correlated with RrGGP2 abundance and AsA accumulation in developing fruit. RrUNE12 is localized in the nucleus and specifically binds to the promoter of RrGGP2 to promote its transcription. The overexpression or silencing of RrUNE12 in R. roxburghii fruit and fruit callus further confirmed that RrUNE12 positively regulated RrGGP2 transcription and AsA level. Different abiotic stress treatments indicated that RrUNE12 was greatly induced by salt. Exogenous NaCl treatment on the RrUNE12-overexpressing or RrUNE12-silencing fruits also led to enhanced transcripts abundance of both RrUNE12 and RrGGP2, compared to the treatment without adding NaCl. RrUNE12 overexpression in fruit callus alleviated salt stress damage by upregulating the expression of RrGGP2 and antioxidant-related genes. Additionally, stable overexpression of RrUNE12 in tomato plants resulted in a significant increase in AsA content and antioxidant capacity, accompanied by an increased resistance to the salt stress. Collectively, the results suggest that RrUNE12 functions as an activator of AsA biosynthesis in R. roxburghii fruit and plays a positive role in mitigating salt stress by increasing both AsA level and the oxidation resistance.

Subventricular Accumulation of Cu in the Aging Mouse Brain Does Not Associate with Anticipated Increases in Markers of Oxidative Stress.

Natural aging is associated with mild memory loss and cognitive decline, and age is the greatest risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. There is substantial evidence that oxidative stress is a major contributor to both natural aging and neurodegenerative disease, and coincidently, levels of redox active metals such as Fe and Cu are known to be elevated later in life. Recently, a pronounced age-related increase in Cu content has been reported to occur in mice and rats around a vital regulatory brain region, the subventricular zone of lateral ventricles. In our study herein, we have characterized lateral ventricle Cu content in a unique murine model of accelerated aging, senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. Our results confirm an age-related increase in ventricle Cu content, consistent with the studies by others in wild-type mice and rats. Specifically, we observed Cu content to increase over the time frame 1 to 5 months and 5 to 9 months, but interestingly, no significant increase occurred between 9 and 12 months (although brain Cu content at 12 months was significantly elevated relative to 1 and 5 month-old animals). Despite the magnitude of Cu increase observed within the cells that comprise the subventricular zone of lateral ventricles (average 3 mM Cu, with isolated subcellular concentrations of 17 mM), we did not detect spectroscopic markers of thiol oxidation, protein aggregation, or lipid oxidation. The lack of evidence for oxidative stress in ex vivo animal tissue is in contrast to in vitro studies demonstrating that thiol, protein, and lipid oxidation is pronounced at these Cu concentrations. We suggest that our findings most likely indicate that the Cu ions in this brain region are sequestered in an unreactive form, possibly extended chains of Cu-thiolate complexes, which do not readily redox cycle in the aqueous cytosol. These results also appear to partially challenge the long-held view that age-related increases in brain metal content drive oxidative stress as we did not observe a concomitant association between age-related Cu increase and markers of oxidative stress, nor did we observe a net increase in Cu content between mice aged 9 and 12 months.

Experimental study and model prediction of the influence of different factors on the mechanical properties of saline clay

Water conveyance channels in cold and arid regions pass through several saline-alkali soil areas. Canal water leakage exacerbates the salt expansion traits of such soil, damaging canal slope lining structures. To investigate the mechanical properties of saline clay, this study conducted indoor tests, including direct shear, compression, and permeation tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of soil samples from typical sites. This study aims to elucidate the impact of various factors on the mechanical properties of saline clay from a macro–micro perspective and reveal its physical mechanisms. A prediction model is formulated and validated. The findings indicate the following: (1) Cohesion in direct shear tests has a linear negative correlation with water content and a positive correlation with dry density and initially decreases with increasing salt content until 2%, after which it increases. The internal friction angle initially increases and then decreases with increasing water content, reaching a peak at the optimal water content, and then gradually increases with dry density while initially decreasing, followed by an increase in salt content, stabilizing thereafter. Water content, dry density, or salt content chiefly affect cohesion by influencing electrostatic attraction, van der Waals forces, particle cementation, and valence bonds at particle contact points. (2) Compression tests reveal a linear positive correlation between the compression coefficient and water content, a negative correlation with dry density, and a stepwise linear correlation with salt content, peaking at 2%. The compression index decreases with increasing water content and dry density, following a trend similar to that of the compression coefficient with increasing salt content. The rebound index shows a linear negative correlation with water content and dry density, transitioning from a negative to a positive correlation at 2% salt content. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed particle flattening and increased aggregation with increasing consolidation pressure, reducing compressibility. Large pores and three-dimensional porosity have the greatest influence on soil compressibility. (3) Permeability tests reveal an exponential negative correlation between the permeability coefficient and dry density. As the dry density increases, the particle arrangement becomes denser, decreasing the pore quantity, with micropores disproportionately impacting the permeability coefficient. An increase in salinity initially increases the permeability coefficient before it decreases. The boundary point of the 2% salt content divides the effect of salt ions from promoting free water flow to blocking seepage channels, with the proportion of micropores being the primary influencing factor. (4) Employing statistical theory and machine learning algorithms, dry density, water content, and salinity are used to predict mechanical index values. The improved particle swarm optimization-support vector regression (PSO-SVR) model has high accuracy and general applicability. These findings offer insights for the construction and upkeep of open channel projects in arid regions.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ РЕЦЕПТУРНОГО СОСТАВА КОНЦЕНТРАТОВ НАПИТКОВ НА ОСНОВЕ БЕЛКА КОНОПЛИ ДЛЯ СПОРТИВНОГО ПИТАНИЯ

The purpose of the study is to experimentally substantiate the formulations of beverage concentrates based on vegetable protein for sports nutrition. The objects of the study were beverage concentrates based on hemp protein; drinks prepared for consumption. The following stages of scientific research were carried out, namely selection of components of beverage concentrate formulations was conducted; the organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators of the quality of concentrates and drinks obtained from them were analyzed; the stability of the quality and safety of beverage concentrates during the recommended shelf life was studied. As a result of research, the compositions of beverage concentrate formulations were substantiated, including vegetable protein, antioxidant, thickener, flavoring agent and flavoring food additives. The high nutritional value of the resulting drinks, the high content of protein and digestible carbohydrates have been experimentally confirmed. Accordingly, the drinks obtained from these concentrates can be classified as protein-carbohydrate products for sports nutrition. It has been established that the quality and safety of the developed beverage concentrates comply with the regulated requirements, as well as the high preservation of their properties throughout the regulated storage period. An increase in the moisture content in the samples of concentrates (up to 8.8 %) and an increase in titratable acidity (up to 3 degrees) were established, the obtained values were within the regulated values. During the storage period of 4 months at elevated temperatures, the processes of oxidative deterioration proceeded to a small extent, the increase in acid and peroxide number was no more than 30 % relative to the initial value. The results of scientific research are recommended for implementation at enterprises specializing in the production of food products from industrial hemp seeds.

Comparative Study on HPSS Content in Current and Previous Chinese High School

Chinese 2017 General High School Physics Curriculum Standards explicitly include understanding the nature of science (NOS) as core literacy for students. History, philosophy of science, and sociology of science (HPSS) education is an important way to promote students’ understanding of the nature of science. In this context, this study analyzed the content of HPSS in two physics textbooks before and after the promulgation of the new curriculum standards using a content analysis method based on the analytical framework of HPSS. The analysis compares the number and copiousness of HPSS content in the current high school physics textbooks published in 2019 and the previous edition of high school physics textbooks published in 2004. The presentation of this HPSS content was also analyzed. It was found that there was an increase in HPSS content in the new edition of the textbook compared to the old edition, mainly a decrease in the history of science content and an increase in both the philosophy of science and sociology of science content. The HPSS content copiousness was low in both the old and new editions of the textbook. Finally, the distribution of the respective sub-dimensions of the HPSS was very uneven.

Strigolactones regulate Bambusa multiplex sheath senescence by promoting chlorophyll degradation.

Culm sheaths are capable of photosynthesis and are an important class of non-leaf organs in bamboo plants. The source-sink interaction mechanism has been found to play an important role in the interaction between culm sheaths and internodes in Bambusa multiplex. Research on the regulatory mechanisms of culm sheath senescence is important for the study of internode growth, but reports in this regard are limited. In this study, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed on transcriptome data of B. multiplex culm sheaths at different developmental stages and identified some gene modules significantly related to the typical senescence stages (SS3 and SS4). Among these modules, one module significantly associated with both SS3 and SS4 was identified, and its hub gene (BmCCD8) was a key gene of the strigolactones (SLs) synthesis pathway. To verify the relationship between SLs and culm sheath senescence, we performed experiments such as detection of endogenous hormone, treatment with exogenous hormones, transmission electron microscopic observation and detection of gene expression levels. A positive relationship was found between the SL content and the degree of sheath senescence. Treatment with the artificial SL analog GR24 resulted in a significant decrease in chlorophyll content in the sheath, while treatment with the SL synthesis inhibitor Tis108 led to a significant increase in chlorophyll content. A different response pattern to exogenous GR24 and Tis108 was also observed in genes related to the chlorophyll degradation pathway. Chloroplasts were also found to begin degradation one day after the end of exogenous GR24 treatment. Thus, we concluded that SLs may regulate culm sheath senescence by promoting chlorophyll degradation.

Enhanced degradation performance of Ag-loaded BiOI composite photocatalysts for water pollutant removal

Composite photocatalyst materials have potential application value in the field of environmental protection, especially in the degradation of water pollutants. In this paper, Ag-BiOI composite photocatalyst materials were prepared by deposition method on BiOI flower-like microspheres prepared by microwave solvothermal method. BiOI flower balls are stacked by interlaced nanosheets, and Ag nanoparticles are attached to the surface of BiOI microspheres. This paper explores the effect of Ag loading on the photocatalytic performance of composite materials through variable control. The research results show that as the Ag content increases, the degradation rate of RhodamineB (RhB) and Ciprofloxacin (CIP) of the sample under visible light irradiation increases. The 4% Ag/BiOI composite photocatalyst exhibits the best degradation performance for Rhodamine B solution (RhB, 20 mg/L) and Ciprofloxacin solution (CIP, 10 mg/L), achieving degradation rates of 80.4% and 80.0%, respectively, which is five times higher than that of BiOI before loading. This significantly improves the treatment efficiency of organic pollutants.In addition, excessive Ag particle compounding will reduce the light absorption performance of the sample, thereby reducing the catalytic degradation characteristics of the material. Furthermore, the recyclability of the 4% Ag-BiOI composite was evaluated, and it was found that after five cycles of use, the photocatalytic activity remained stable, indicating excellent reusability of the material. Finally, this article discusses the catalytic degradation mechanism of Ag composite catalyst materials based on experimental results, and provides a design strategy for loading heavy metals to improve the catalytic performance of materials.

Effect of Temperature on Polyamine Oxidase Genes in Skeletonema dohrnii

In our experiments, we investigated the effect of temperature on diatom polyamine metabolism using Skeletonema dohrnii as an experimental algal species. We set three different temperature conditions for incubation and selected Skeletonema dohrnii in the exponential growth period, and analyzed basic physiological parameters, polyamine composition and content, and polyamine oxidase (PAO) gene expression at different temperatures. The results showed that low temperatures led to a decrease in growth rate, an increase in biogenic silica content, an increase in the content of putrescine and spermine, a decrease in the concentration of spermidine, and a down-regulation of PAO gene expression. In addition, high temperature led to an increase in growth rate, a significant change in the concentration of putrescine and spermine, and an increase in spermidine. These findings suggest that changes in temperature affect the growth rate of algae, low temperature increases the biogenic silica content of diatoms, different temperature stresses lead to different kinds of polyamine changes in diatoms, and the PAO gene may play a role in regulating the response of algae to temperature changes. This study lays a foundation for further exploration of the function of the PAO gene in Skeletonema dohrnii.

Influence of constituents on strength and flowability in ultra high-performance concrete

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) boasts superior characterizations like excellent flowability, mechanical properties and durability. These features are achieved by adopting low water-to-binder ratio (w/b), good particle packing density and high dosage of steel fibers. This study mainly focused on the development of the optimized UHPC mixes by considering locally available materials. The impact of different composition of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with different CaO/SiO2 ratio (4.31, 4.37, 4.49, 4.53, 4.60 and 4.82) on the compressive strength and flowability were investigated to ensure versatility across applications. The compressive strength of UHPC mixes by using various types of fine aggregates namely, manufactured sand, standard sand, river sand and quartz sand were also investigated. Also, the compressive strength as well as flowability of UHPC were studied by varying the fiber content of 0%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%. The results reveal that the compatibility of OPCs with varying CaO/SiO2 ratios has minimal impact, whereas different sand types significantly influence both flowability and compressive strength of UHPC mixes. Considering cost, availability and performance, M Sand and quartz sand can be used for the development of UHPC. Also, it was observed that increase in fiber content enhances the compressive strength while negatively influencing the flowability.

Abscisic Acid Can Improve the Salt Tolerance and Yield of Rice by Improving Its Physiological Characteristics

Salt stress exerts a notable influence on rice’s normal growth and development process. It causes a decline in rice yield, and in certain extreme cases can lead to the complete failure of rice crops. Abscisic acid, also known as S-ABA, may play an important role in regulating rice plant responses to various stressors and promoting crop growth against adversity. In this research, the impact of externally applied S-ABA (0.03% S-ABA, diluted 100 times) on the growth and yield of rice was explored. The experiment made use of the traditional rice variety Huanghuazhan as the test material. The study focused on how S-ABA affected rice at various growth phases under salt-stress conditions. The effects of S-ABA sprayed once (three-leaf/one-heart stage) and twice (three-leaf/one-heart stage, break stage) on the photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant metabolism, membrane lipid peroxidation products, osmotic regulation, and yield of rice under 0.4% NaCl were studied. The experimental outcomes indicated that the presence of salt stress had a restraining effect on the growth of rice. There was a notable decline in the net photosynthetic rate; moreover, the yield was diminished by 26.90%. Salt-induced stress clearly imposed negative impacts on these aspects of rice’s physiological functions and productivity. The exogenous application of S-ABA was highly effective in mitigating the inhibitory influence of salt stress on the growth of rice. When S-ABA was sprayed on two occasions, there was a notable increase in the total chlorophyll content within the rice leaves, ranging from 7.40% to 80.99%. This led to an enhancement in the photosynthetic ability of the plants. Additionally, the growth of rice seedlings was significantly promoted. The activity of antioxidant enzymes also witnessed an upward trend, and the content of soluble protein increased by 0.87–2.60%. The content of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were decreased by 4.18–12.49% and 13.71–52.18%, respectively, the damage to membrane lipid peroxidation was alleviated, and rice yield was increased by 14.84% and 29.29% after spraying S-ABA once or twice under salt stress, respectively. In conclusion, salt stress inhibits the growth and development of rice during grouting and destroys the antioxidant system of the rice plant, thus reducing its yield. Leaf spraying with S-ABA can alleviate the degradation of chlorophyll, enhance the photosynthesis, antioxidant system, and osmotic regulation ability of rice, reduce salt-stress damage, and thus alleviate the yield loss under salt stress to a certain extent. In addition, the regulation effect of two sprayings of S-ABA is better than that of one spraying. The results of this study revealed the physiological regulation mechanism of S-ABA at different growth stages of rice under salt stress, and provided theoretical support for the reduction of salt-stress damage to rice. This suggests that S-ABA has potential applications in the improvement of salt tolerance in rice.

Suppression of METTL3 expression attenuated matrix stiffness-induced vaginal fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and abnormal modulation of the extracellular matrix in pelvic organ prolapse.

Fibrosis of the connective tissue in the vaginal wall predominates in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which is characterized by excessive fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and abnormal deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Our study aimed to investigate the effect of ECM stiffness on vaginal fibroblasts and to explore the role of methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) in the development of POP. Polyacrylamide hydrogels were applied to create an ECM microenvironment with variable stiffness to evaluate the effects of ECM stiffness on the proliferation, differentiation, and expression of ECM components in vaginal fibroblasts. METTL3small interfering RNA and an overexpression vector were transfected into vaginal fibroblasts to evaluate the effects of METTL3silencing and overexpression on matrix stiffness-induced vaginal fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and abnormal modulation of the ECM. Both procedures were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, Western blotting (WB), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and immunofluorescence (IF). Vaginal fibroblasts from POP patients exhibited increased proliferation ability, increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), decreased expression of collagen I/III, and significantly decreased expression of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the stiff matrix (P<0.05). Compared with those from non-POP patients, vaginal wall tissues from POP patients demonstrated a significant increase in METTL3 content (P<0.05). However, silencing METTL3 expression in vaginal fibroblasts with high ECM stiffness resulted in decreased proliferation ability, decreased α-SMA expression, an increased ratio of collagen I/III, and increased TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression. Conversely, METTL3 overexpression significantly promoted the process of increased proliferation ability, increased α-SMA expression, decreased ratio of collagen I/III and decreased TIMP1 and TIMP2 expression in the soft matrix (P<0.05). Elevated ECM stiffness can promote excessive proliferation, differentiation, and abnormal ECM modulation, and the expression of METTL3 plays an important role in alleviating or aggravating matrix stiffness-induced vaginal fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and abnormal ECM modulation.

Click Preparing UV‐Curable Polybutadiene Films With Good Thermal and Mechanical Performances by Using Multifunctional Mercaptan as a Cross‐Linking Agent

ABSTRACTUltraviolet (UV)‐curable maleic anhydride liquid polybutadiene films were prepared by using pentaerythritol tetra(3‐mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) as the crosslinker in 10 s. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that maleic anhydride ring opened rapidly and reacted with sulfhydryl group to form thioester; meanwhile, SH group reacted with a double bond by thiol‐ene reaction, and both reactions resulted in the rapid increase in gel contents. Due to the unique flexible nature of maleic anhydride polybutadiene (MLPB) and the moderate cross‐linking degree provided by PETMP, the addition of PETMP in the range of 20%–25% significantly enhances their overall mechanical properties. The tensile strength of free‐standing MLPB‐PETMP films increased by three times, while its elongation reduced by less than 20%; their adhesion to carbon steel increased by more than three times to 5.0 MPa. Additionally, these films could be folded 180° on aluminum foil without damage and maintained a much lower wear level even after 3000 cycles of abrasion. However, the excessive addition of PETMP caused uneven distribution and aggregation, resulting in internal defects and thus the reduction in mechanical performances. Moreover, their thermal stability in air was also found improved, attributing to the increase in cross‐linking degree and the formation of higher strength SC bond.

Sodium bisulfite boosted exopolysaccharide production by Auxenochlorella protothecoides: Potential mechanisms harnessing H2O2 signaling and carbon reallocation.

Microalgal exopolysaccharides (EPS) possess significant functional benefits across various industrial sectors, but their commercial feasibility is constrained by inefficient synthesis and poorly understood synthesis mechanisms. This study found that 1.25 mmol/L sodium bisulfite promoted EPS accumulation to 224.78 mg/L by Auxenochlorella protothecoides. Inhibiting endogenous H2O2 blocked the sodium bisulfite-induced increase in EPS content and reversed the upregulation of EPS biosynthesis-related genes, underscoring the involvement of H2O2 signaling in microalgal EPS accumulation. Furthermore, omics analysis revealed a reconfiguration of metabolites in carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, facilitating the reallocation of carbon flux. Specifically, sodium bisulfite reduced protein storage while enhancing carbohydrate anabolism for EPS precursors, redirecting carbon towards EPS accumulation. This process acted as a defense against oxidative stress, aided by increased lipid and starch production. Collectively, the findings boosted microalgal EPS production and elucidated the mechanisms involving cellular H2O2 signaling and carbon redistribution, providing theoretical support for large-scale microalgal EPS production.

HIGH-FREQUENCY RESPONSE OF COMPLEX INITIAL PERMEABILITY OF Cr SUBSTITUTED Co0.5Cu0.5Fe2-xCrxO4

The Lattice parameter, density, initial permeability, saturation magnetization, and Néel temperature of the Cr substituted various Co0.5Cu0.5Fe2-xCrxO4 have been invented. It also explores how the sintering temperature affects these samples' density, porosity, grain size, and initial permeability. As the Cr content increases, the lattice parameter, density, and saturation magnetization decrease. The variation of lattice parameters, density, and maximum magnetic saturation level can be explained in the light of ionic size, atomic mass, and magnetic moment of Cr ion, respectively. However, grain size, complex initial permeability, and coercivity rise until x=0.2 and fall as the Cr concentration increases. Grain size, initial permeability, and coercivity correlated to each other. The textured structure of this ferrite was found at 1373K, confirmed by XRD and microstructural analysis. Bangladesh Journal of Physics, Vol. 29, Issue 1, pp. 25 – 38, June 2022

Role of growth factors (transforming growth factor β1 and connective tissue growth factor) in the progression of diabetic retinopathy

Background. The study on the mechanisms of progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and growth factors that directly participate in this process is relevant, as it will allow substantia­ting a new possible direction of treatment and diagnosis. Aim is to establish the role of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the development and progression of DR. Materials and methods. The study involved the results of the examination of 102 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were divided into 3 groups according to the stages of DR: first one — non-proliferative DR (NPDR, 35 people), second one — pre-proliferative (PPDR, 34 people) and third one — proli­ferative (PDR, 33 people). The control group consisted of 61 individuals. The patients underwent standard ophthalmic examinations. TGF-β1 in serum and intraocular fluid (IOF) and CTGF in IOF were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Invitrogen Thermo Fisher Sci., USA). Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the MedCalc Software package (MedCalc Software bvba, 1993–2013). Results. The blood TGF-β1 content was increased in patients with DR by 1.4–1.55 times compared to controls (p &lt; 0.001). The difference in terms of DR stages was not statistically significant. The TGF-β1 content in IOF increased significantly depending on DR stages and was higher in NPDR by 1.2 times, in PPDR by 2.2 times, and in PDR by 5.0 times (p &lt; 0.001) compared to controls. At the same time, the difference between all groups was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). The CTGF content in the IOF also increased significantly and was 1.6 times higher in NPDR, 2.2 times higher in PPDR, and 3.2 times higher in PDR compared to controls (p &lt; 0.001). Comparison of TGF-β1 and CTGF levels in the IOF showed that an increase was characteristic of both markers, but it was more pronounced for TGF-β1 in PDR. Conclusions. In our study, we found a significant increase in TGF-β1 and CTGF content in the IOF, which corresponded to the stage of DR. This suggests that both cytokines may be biomarkers of DR and are potential targets of its therapy.

Enhancing Probiotic, Sensory, and Antioxidant Properties of Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge through Lactic Acid Fermentation for Functional Food Development

Abstract This study explores the use of Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge as edible-medicine homology ingredients through lactic acid fermentation to enhance probiotic content, sensory quality, and antioxidant properties. Using a mixed culture of Lactobacillus plantarum AS1.2437 and Lactobacillus casei CICC21019, the fermentation significantly increased lactic acid bacteria counts, improved taste, and boosted antioxidant activities, particularly in reducing Fe3+ and scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals (P &amp;lt; 0.05). During fermentation, changes in reducing sugars, total acids, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and amino acid compositions were monitored. Results showed significant increases in total phenols, flavonoids, SOD activity, and polysaccharide content (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Essential amino acids increased by 4.86%, and therapeutic amino acids rose from 50.88% to 53.59%. The Boltzmann model effectively captured these changes, achieving a high coefficient of determination (R2 &amp;gt; 0.99), indicating strong predictive accuracy. Key organic acids like lactic, acetic, and tartaric acids contributed to enhanced antioxidant activity. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical, medicinal, and antioxidant properties of the fermented Polygonatum sibiricum Red. and C. pinnatifida Bunge (PsR.-CpB.) enzyme, establishing a theoretical foundation for developing functional foods aligned with the edible-medicine homology concept.

An Effective Approach to Get Aluminum Foam Sandwich with High and Stable Interfacial Properties.

The interfacial mechanical characteristics of sandwich structures are crucial in defining the comprehensive mechanical performance of the whole structure. Nevertheless, in practical applications, the interface often emerges as the weakest segment due to potential defects in the interface of porous metal sandwich plates (PMSP). This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanisms influencing the mechanical characteristics of nano-SiO2-reinforced aluminum foam sandwich structure (AFS) interfaces and to propose an effective strategy to achieve AFS interfaces with superior and stable mechanical properties. Results indicated that surface modification conditions and the amount of nano-SiO2 introduced are the primary process variables determining the strength of the AFS interface. The modified silane coupling agent was capable of enhancing its dispersion in the epoxy resin, thereby improving the interfacial strength of AFS. The most significant enhancement in interfacial strength occurred at a nano-SiO2 concentration of 0.4 wt %, although a marked reduction in interfacial strength was observed with further increases in the nano-SiO2 content. The overall strength and energy absorption capacity of AFS were enhanced by 14.65% and 405.43%, respectively, through the utilization of this enhancement method. More importantly, the AFS produced using this method demonstrated a stable performance and high repeatability.

Microstructure and Wear and Corrosion Resistance of CoCrFeMoNiSix (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) HEACs Prepared by Plasma Cladding

CoCrFeMoNiSix (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) HEACs were successfully prepared on Q235 steel substrates by the plasma cladding method. The phase structure, microstructure, element distribution, and wear and corrosion resistance of these coatings were investigated by XRD, OM, SEM, EDS, a friction and wear tester, and an electrochemical workstation. The results show that the CoCrFeMoNiSix (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) coatings are composed of a major FCC phase and minor BCC phase. With an increase in Si content, the lattice constant and cell volume of both phases and the BCC phase content in these alloys gradually increase, while the enthalpy of mixing, Gibbs free energy, atomic radius difference, VEC, and phase density decrease. All the three alloys exhibit typical dendritic structures. With an increase in Si content, the enrichment of Mo and Si in the interdendrite region is significantly reduced. The friction coefficients of CoCrFeMoNiSix (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) HEACs show a trend of first increasing, then decreasing, and gradually stabilizing with an increase in time, and are 0.604, 0.526, and 0.534, respectively. The wear resistance of the three alloys is mainly related to the changes in crystallinity and high-strength BCC phase content caused by different Si contents. The polarization curves of CoCrFeMoNiSix (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) high-entropy alloy coatings show an obvious passivation zone, and the corrosion resistance is significantly better than that of Q235 steel substrate. The CoCrFeMoNiSi0.75 coating has the highest self-corrosion potential, smallest self-corrosion current, largest capacitive reactance arc radius, and best corrosion resistance in a 3.5% NaCl solution.

Effect of variation of biobased phenolic resin content in natural rubber blend on rheological, thermal and tribological properties

A biobased copolymer, phenol-cardanol-formaldehyde (PCF928), was prepared by condensation reaction between phenol, cardanol, and formaldehyde. The mixture (P) of phenol and cardanol (92:8 w/w) was mixed with formaldehyde (F) in the molar ratio of 1:0.8 (P:F), and using oxalic acid as a catalyst, the reaction was carried out. This resin (PCF928) was blended with natural rubber in various proportions (like 5, 10, 20, and 30 phr), and four samples were prepared that had the same amounts of C-black as filler and all other ingredients. These were vulcanized in the presence of hexamethylene tetramine and sulfur together. These samples were characterized by density, hardness, and crosslink density. The blends possess higher crosslink density, hardness, and density than that of the pure rubber compound. Mechanical properties of the blends were greater than those of the pure natural rubber (NR) compound. All the blend samples were found equally stable up to 400⁰C. Storage and loss modulus of the blends improved with an increase in PCF928 content when measured by varying the frequency at a constant temperature (125⁰C). Wear resistance of the blends increased with a simultaneous reduction in the coefficient of friction due to the increase in the resin content in them.