In Silico Analysis and Experimental Validation of Active Compounds from Cichorium intybus L. Ameliorating Liver Injury

This study aimed at investigating the possible mechanisms of hepatic protective activity of Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) in acute liver injury. Pathological observation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and measurements of biochemical indexes on mouse models proved hepatic protective effect of Cichorium intybus L. Identification of active compounds in Cichorium intybus L. was executed through several methods including ultra performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). Similarity ensemble approach (SEA) docking, molecular modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were applied in this study to explore possible mechanisms of the hepato-protective potential of Cichorium intybus L. We then analyzed the chemical composition of Cichorium intybus L., and found their key targets. Furthermore, in vitro cytological examination and western blot were used for validating the efficacy of the selected compounds. In silico analysis and western blot together demonstrated that selected compound 10 in Cichorium intybus L. targeted Akt-1 in hepatocytes. Besides, compound 13 targeted both caspase-1 and Akt-1. These small compounds may ameliorate liver injury by acting on their targets, which are related to apoptosis or autophagy. The conclusions above may shed light on the complex molecular mechanisms of Cichorium intybus L. acting on hepatocytes and ameliorating liver injury.     

Tensile testing and fracture mechanism analysis of polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous webs

A tensile properties testing study was conducted to understand the influence of thickness, cross-head speed (speed of testing), gauge length (GL; specimen test length), and sample shape on important tensile properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofiber webs. The effects of each testing parameter on load at break, extension at break, Young's modulus, and tensile stress–strain curve of PVA nanofiber webs are analyzed. The Welch two sample t-tests show the significant difference among tested data. Using interaction plots, two-way analysis of variance, and margin mean plots, the interaction effects among testing parameters have been analyzed. Of all the factors, cross-head speed, the interaction among GL, and sample thickness (GL: Thickness) and the interaction among GL, testing speed and sample thickness (GL: Speed: Thickness) have significant influence on the tensile properties of PVA nanofiber webs. Moreover, the hypothesized model of mechanism of tensile strain–stress curve of PVA nanofiber webs has been proposed. Based on the model, the tensile strain–stress curve can be split into three stages: linear elastic, partial break up, and complete breakage. This study will provide a better understanding of tensile testing parameters' effects and their interaction effects on the tensile properties of nanowebs.     

Teff (Eragrostis tef) processing,utilization and future opportunities: a review

The demand for food production has been constantly increasing due to rising population. In developed countries, for example, the emergence of regional production of old grains that are rarely utilized, along with the production of commonly consumed grains, has gained importance in recent years. These grains, known collectively as ancient or heirloom grains, have offered both farmers and consumers novel ways of cultivation and products with interesting taste, characteristics and nutritional value. Among the 30 000 plant species known, only five cereals currently provide more than 50% of the world's energy intake – bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), rice (Oryza sativa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), millets (Panicum sp.) and maize (Zea mays). The excessive utilization of these selected species has a great potential to cause genetic losses and difficulty in bridging future agricultural demands. Teff (Eragrostis tef), an ancient grain extensively cultivated in countries like Eritrea and Ethiopia, provides promising alternatives for new food uses since its nutritional value is significantly higher than most others cereal grains. The absence of gluten allows flexibility in food utilization since it can be directly substituted to gluten-containing products. The grain also offers an excellent balance of essential amino acids and minerals, which can fulfil the recommended daily intake and eliminates the need for fortification and enrichment. This review provides a general overview of the physical properties and nutritional composition of teff grains related to processing and applications in the food and feed industries. The current status of teff utilization, as well as the challenges in production and commercialization, and future opportunities is presented and discussed.     

Do funded papers attract more usage?

Research funding has been seen as one of the most important resource in the reward system of science. And usage of publications denotes an interesting perspective of user behavior in scientific communication. This study aims to address the relationship between funding and Usage Count, which is a new metrics item established on the platform of Web of Science. Full records of 300,010 articles published in 2013 were downloaded in October 2015, and divided into six disciplines, including information science library science, education educational research, economics, computer science, materials science, and chemistry. Seven indicators were proposed to measure the impact, including Funding rate, Citation per paper, Usage rate, Usage per paper, Citation difference, Usage difference, and Conversion rate. It concluded funding has impact on usage and citation, and funded papers attract more usage, but varying in different disciplines. Usage Count can be used in the extension of citation metrics but with limits. This study originally engages with usage metrics and detected that there is positive correlation between usage and funding.     

Headspace fingerprinting approach to identify the major pathway influencing volatile patterns of vinasse-cured duck processed by high pressure,as well as its impact on physicochemical and sensory attributes

As a decisive attribute, flavour could be influenced by HP treatments through multiple physical and chemical pathways within the high pressure (HP)-assisted meat curing process. This investigation aimed to identify the major pathway influencing volatile flavour patterns of two representative vinasse-cured duck (VCD) products with HP treatments (150–300 MPa/15 min), including wet and dry types, by employing headspace fingerprinting as an untargeted approach. Results suggested that HP treatments greatly lowered moisture contents and increased Warner-Bratzler shear force and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of the cured samples. According to multivariate models, the volatile flavour patterns of the HP-processed VCD could be clearly separated from the unprocessed samples, but the VCD pressurised at different intensities represented similar volatile fingerprinting, which was validated by e-nose analysis. The discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model outlined vinasse-derived ethanol, acetic acid, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, phenethyl alcohol and 2-methyl-3-octanone as the major discriminant aromas across the unpressurised and pressurised samples.     

基于3D打印技术复制砂浆节理的剪切试验及峰值抗剪强度模型

为进一步研究节理三维形貌特征与节理峰值抗剪强度的关系,首先采用巴西劈裂试验获取了自然劈裂岩石表面,通过三维扫描技术获取了节理面形态的高精度点云,通过逆向建模得到了自然岩石表面的立体模型,结合3D打印技术制作出了与自然岩石表面一致的PLA模具,以3D打印获得的底模通过水泥砂浆浇筑了含有自然结构面形貌的相似节理面试样。PLA模具与复制材料差异较大,复制材料在凝结过程中不易与PLA模具黏结,进而使脱模过程较为方便,不会破坏节理面。同时PLA模具可重复进行相似材料复制工作,具有可重复使用的优点。然后进行了具有5组形貌面的20个水泥砂浆节理面在4种不同法向荷载情况下的结构面剪切试验,得到了结构面剪切位移-荷载曲线。研究了结构面峰值抗剪强度、峰值位移、剪切刚度影响因素。节理经过剪切后形貌面出现不同程度的磨损,其磨损范围与等效高差分布范围基本一致,并且在等效高差为剪断破坏模式且成片的区域磨损较为严重。在新粗糙度指标基础上提出了新的峰值抗剪强度模型,经试验对比显示出新模型的有效性。在新模型基础上提出了一个简化模型。对比发现新模型简化后其计算精度较新模型有所降低但由于所需参数减小计算较为方便,新模型简化结果精度虽然有所下降但是还是比Barton公式精度高。     

Encapsulation and Ostwald Ripening of Au and Au–Cl Complex Nanostructures in Silica Shells

We report a general template strategy for rational fabrication of a new class of nanostructured materials consisting of multicore shell particles. Our approach is demonstrated by encapsulating Au or Pt nanoparticles in silica shells. Other superstructures of these hollow shells, like dimers, trimers, and tetramers can also be formed by nanoparticle‐mediated self‐assembly. We have also used the as‐prepared multicore Au–silica hollow particles to perform the first studies of Ostwald ripening in confined microspace, in which chloride was found to be an efficient mediating ligand. After treatment with aqua regia, Au–Cl complex is formed inside the shell, and is found to be very active under in situ transmission electron microscopy observations while confined in a microcell. This aspect of the work is expected to motivate further in situ studies of confined crystal growth.     

高导电性原油电脱盐工艺研究

南阳原油中金属含量较高,掺有部分3次采油采出原油,加工时易造成电脱盐装置原油乳化,电导率高,脱盐难度较大。装置投产十几年来脱后含盐一直不合格,经过改造仍然超标,常压塔顶腐蚀严重。为此,对原油进行了电脱盐工艺条件及破乳剂研究,研制出了高效电脱盐设备和生物复合脱盐剂及降电流剂,采用平流弓形电极进行改造,解决了该原油的电脱盐问题,使脱后含盐达到3 mg/L。     

库车坳陷中新生界天然气成藏动力学研究

库车坳陷是塔里木盆地北部一近东西走向的狭长坳陷，以中新生代地层为主。地层压实排出水离心流区位于拜城凹陷和阳霞凹陷，克拉苏-依奇克里克构造带、东秋里塔克构造带和塔北前缘隆起带为越流泄水区。库车坳陷在早第三纪-库车早期主要为油藏、凝析油气藏形成时期；库车晚期-第四纪西域期是气藏的主要形成时期。天然气经短距离侧向汇聚，通过沟通源岩和圈闭的断裂垂向富集。在强烈的构造挤压和气体充注条件下，被具有很好封闭性的下第三系膏盐岩严密封闭，形成异常高压气藏。下伏三叠系-侏罗系源岩的沉积埋藏水、粘土矿物脱出水沿断裂带伴随天然气向浅部越流，在构造顶部形成相对低矿化度的地下水化学特征。     

Al、Mo含量对铸造钛合金力学性能的影响

运用正交实验 ,考察了Al、Mo含量对Ti Al Mo 1Zr系铸造钛合金力学性能的影响。试验结果表明 :随Al、Mo含量提高 ,铸造合金的强度增加 ,塑性和冲击韧性降低 ,但Al、Mo的交互作用却使合金塑性提高 ,强度和冲击韧性降低