Fabrication of novel silicon carbide-based nanomaterials with unique hydrophobicity and microwave absorption property

Novel SiC-based nanomaterials, namely the nitrogen and aluminum co-doped SiC@SiO₂ core-shell nanowires and nitrogen-doped SiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, have been fabricated through a facile thermal treatment process based on the chemical vapor deposition and vapor-liquid reaction. These nanomaterials show remarkable hydrophobicity with a water contact angle (CA) over 140°, which are aroused by the surface zigzag morphology of the nanostructures and the hydrocarbyl groups generated during the preparation process. Moreover the nanocomposites also exhibit relatively prominent microwave absorption (MA) properties in the frequency range of 2.0-18.0 GHz. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value as low as −23.68 dB can be observed at 14.16 GHz when the absorber thickness is 2.6 mm with a loading rate of 16.7 wt%. And the nanocomposites-based absorbent can achieve an effective absorption bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) of 4.48 GHz with the absorbent thickness of 2.5 mm. This enhanced microwave attenuation performance can be attributed to multiple polarizations and perfect impedance matching conditions, as well as multiple internal reflections. These marvelous properties make these N and Al co-doped SiC@SiO₂ core-shell nanowires and N-doped SiO₂/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles display extensive application potential as MA materials in harsh environment.     

GOLPH3 Regulates EGFR in T98G Glioblastoma Cells by Modulating Its Glycosylation and Ubiquitylation

Protein trafficking is altered when normal cells acquire a tumor phenotype. A key subcellular compartment in regulating protein trafficking is the Golgi apparatus, but its role in carcinogenesis is still not well defined. Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3), a peripheral membrane protein mostly localized at the trans-Golgi network, is overexpressed in several tumor types including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most lethal primary brain tumor. Moreover, GOLPH3 is currently considered an oncoprotein, however its precise function in GBM is not fully understood. Here, we analyzed in T98G cells of GBM, which express high levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the effect of stable RNAi-mediated knockdown of GOLPH3. We found that silencing GOLPH3 caused a significant reduction in the proliferation of T98G cells and an unexpected increase in total EGFR levels, even at the cell surface, which was however less prone to ligand-induced autophosphorylation. Furthermore, silencing GOLPH3 decreased EGFR sialylation and fucosylation, which correlated with delayed ligand-induced EGFR downregulation and its accumulation at endo-lysosomal compartments. Finally, we found that EGF failed at promoting EGFR ubiquitylation when the levels of GOLPH3 were reduced. Altogether, our results show that GOLPH3 in T98G cells regulates the endocytic trafficking and activation of EGFR likely by affecting its extent of glycosylation and ubiquitylation.     

Investigation on the effectiveness of the repair method 8.3 “Corrosion protection by increasing the electrical resistivity” in chloride-containing concrete Part 2: Chloride redistribution in concrete after application of a system sealing surface protective coating

This DFG-funded research project aimed to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of the W-Cl repair principle within the framework of fundamental investigations, to contribute to the creation of the necessary basis for a broader application of the repair principle in practice. The focus was on the development of a model to describe the chloride redistribution after the application of a system sealing surface protective coating. On the basis of Fick's second law of diffusion, a mathematical model with a self-contained analytical solution was developed, with the help of which the chloride redistribution after application of a system sealing surface protective coating can be calculated under the idealized assumption of complete water saturation of the concrete. Furthermore, the influence of the dehydration of the concrete, expected as a result of the application of the repair principle W-Cl, on the chloride redistribution was investigated. On the basis of laboratory tests and numerical simulations, material-specific reduction functions were developed to quantify the relationship between the chloride diffusion coefficient and the ambient humidity.     

樟芝多糖通过降低NLRP3 Caspase1炎性小体表达改善帕金森小鼠神经行为学的机制研究

目的:研究樟芝多糖通过降低NLRP3-Caspase1炎性小体表达改善6-OHDA构建的帕金森小鼠模型的行为学机制。方法:利用6-OHDA脑内注射构建帕金森小鼠模型，通过酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）免疫组化染色和行为学判定小鼠模型的构建成功。利用樟芝多糖进行干预，分别在干预前、干预后的第1、3、7天4个时间点进行神经行为学实验，分别采用转棒实验、爬杆实验检测小鼠自主行为能力以及协调能力，4个时间点取小鼠尾静脉外周血采用ELISA法检测外周血中Caspase1和IL-1β的表达，樟芝多糖干预第7天时待进行完行为学实验后小鼠断颈处死，取小鼠脑组织-纹状体，Western blot法检测纹状体中Caspase1、proCaspase1、NLRP3的表达，高效液相色谱检测纹状体中单胺类神经递质的表达，RT-QPCR检测Caspase1、NLRP3、IL-1β、IL-4、IL-6的mRNA表达。NISSl染色检测小鼠脑组织神经细胞凋亡情况。 结果:6-OHDA脑内注射可以造成小鼠帕金森样病变，且TH蛋白表达显著下调，樟芝多糖干预后小鼠的行为学得到显著改善（P<0.05），纹状体中Caspase1、proCaspase1、NLRP3的表达显著下调，与模型小鼠相比具有统计学差异（P<0.05），且相关炎症因子Caspase1、NLRP3、IL-1β、IL-4、IL-6的mRNA表达下调（P<0.05），纹状体中单胺类神经递质表达上升（P<0.05）。结论:樟芝多糖可以通过下调NLRP3-Caspase1炎性小体表达来改善6-OHDA构建的帕金森小鼠模型行为改善，这可能是樟芝多糖治疗帕金森的机制之一。     

Milk from cows fed a diet with a high forage:concentrate ratio improves inflammatory state,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial function in rats

Excessive energy intake may evoke complex biochemical processes characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, and impairment of mitochondrial function that represent the main factors underlying noncommunicable diseases. Because cow milk is widely used for human nutrition and in food industry processing, the nutritional quality of milk is of special interest with respect to human health. In our study, we analyzed milk produced by dairy cows fed a diet characterized by a high forage:concentrate ratio (high forage milk, HFM). In view of the low n-6:n-3 ratio and high content of conjugated linoleic acid of HFM, we studied the effects of this milk on lipid metabolism, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress in a rat model. To this end, we supplemented for 4 wk the diet of male Wistar rats with HFM and with an isocaloric amount (82 kJ, 22 mL/d) of milk obtained from cows fed a diet with low forage:concentrate ratio, and analyzed the metabolic parameters of the animals. Our results indicate that HFM may positively affect lipid metabolism, leptin:adiponectin ratio, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress, providing the first evidence of the beneficial effects of HFM on rat metabolism.     

Stabilizing temperature-capacitance dependence of (Sr,Pb, Bi)TiO3-Bi4Ti3O12 solutions for energy storage

(1-x)Sr_0.7Pb_0.15Bi_0.1TiO₃-xBi₄Ti₃O₁₂ ((1-x)SPBT-xBIT, x = 0-0.125) bulk ceramics were developed and calcined via the solid-state method, aimed at the application of pulsed power capacitors. The phase structures, temperature stability, hysteresis loop, and discharge properties were systematically investigated. Considering both the temperature stability and dielectric properties, 0.925SPBT-0.075BIT bulk ceramics with a capacitance variation satisfying the X7R specification were developed for pulsed power capacitors. The energy storage density was 0.252 J/cm³, and the ceramics showed high temperature stability at 80 kV/cm. The discharge current waveforms of the 0.925SPBT-0.075BIT ceramics were recorded. A high discharge power density of approximately 1.01 × 10⁸ W/kg with an 8 Ω load resistor and short discharge period of 84 ns were achieved at 50 kV/cm. The good temperature stability properties and high power density show that the 0.925SPBT-0.075BIT ceramics are well suited for pulsed power capacitors with a wide temperature range.     

Evaluation of the effect of processing on cocoa polyphenols: antiradical activity,anthocyanins and procyanidins profiling from raw beans to chocolate

The content and composition of anthocyanins and procyanidins in fermented cocoa beans (from different geographic origins: Ecuador, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria), roasted nibs, cocoa mass and chocolate were determined, beside the determination of the total antiradical capacity. Concerning geographic origin, cocoa beans and processed products from Ecuador showed the highest levels of anthocyanins, followed by Nigeria and Cameroon. Generally, as cocoa beans were further processed, the levels of anthocyanins and flavan‐3‐ols decreased. The largest observed losses of phenolics occurred during roasting. A progressive decreasing trend in polyphenol concentration was observed in the other processed samples as well. Despite the original content of polyphenols in raw cocoa beans, technological processes imply a significant impact on cocoa quality, confirming the need of specific optimisation to obtain high value chocolate.     

Properties and applications of β‐glycosidase from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron that specifically hydrolyses isoflavone glycosides

To modify the glycan part of glycosides, the gene encoding β‐glycosidase was cloned from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron VPI‐5482. The cloned gene, bt_1780, was expressed in Escherichia coli MC1061 and the expressed enzyme was purified using Ni‐NTA affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme, BTBG, showed optimal activity at 50 °C and pH 5.5. Interestingly, this enzyme did not have any hydrolysing activity on ordinary β‐linkage–containing substrates such as xylobiose, lactose and cello‐oligosaccharide, but specifically hydrolysed isoflavone glycosides such as daidzin, genistin and glycitin. Compared to a commercial beta glucosidase, BTBG selectively hydrolysed isoflavone glycosides in soybean extract mixture solution. These results suggest that BTBG may be a specialized enzyme for the hydrolysis of glycosides and that the substrate specificity of BTBG is applicable for the bioconversion of isoflavone glycosides in the food industry.     

Restructuring bank networks after mergers and acquisitions: A capacitated delocation model for closing and resizing branches

During restructuring processes, due to mergers and acquisitions, banks frequently face the problem of having redundant branches competing in the same market. In this work, we introduce a new Capacitated Branch Restructuring Model which extends the available literature in delocation models. It considers both closing down and long term operations׳ costs, and addresses the problem of resizing open branches in order to maintain a constant service level. We consider, as well, the presence of competitors and allow for ceding market share whenever the restructuring costs are prohibitively expensive.We test our model in a real life scenario, obtaining a reduction of about 40% of the network size, and annual savings over 45% in operation costs from the second year on. We finally perform a sensitivity analysis on critical parameters. This analysis shows that the final design of the network depends on certain strategic decisions concerning the redundancy of the branches, as well as their proximity to the demand nodes and to the competitor׳s branches. At the same time, this design is quite robust to changes in the parameters associated with the adjustments on service capacity and with the market reaction.