Simultaneous fractionation of multiple classes of polyphenols from honeybush tea using solid-phase extraction

The structural diversity of polyphenols and the inherent limitations of current extraction techniques pose a challenge to extract polyphenols using a simple and green method. Hence, in this study, a method was developed to simultaneously fractionate multiple classes of polyphenols by only varying ethanol-water solutions. Honeybush tea, which is rich in polyphenols, was selected as a model for this study. Solvent extraction followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed to obtain a polyphenol-rich fraction from six honeybush samples. Based on a gradient elution programme (10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% (v/v) ethanol-water solution) of SPE, the Strata X cartridge showed a better recovery of most targeted polyphenols under 0.9 mL of the drying volume and 1 mL min⁻¹ of the dispensing speed. The elution programme for fractionating most polyphenols was as follows: single elution with 50% ethanol, followed by twice elution with 70% ethanol. The antioxidant capacity was used to analyse the differences among the polyphenol-rich fractions from six honeybush samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that unfermented C. genistoides (GG) has the greatest antioxidant capacity among the honeybush species studied. Additionally, mangiferin, isomangiferin and vicenin-2 were the main contributors to the antioxidant capacity in six honeybush fractions according to the correlation study.     

Understanding grain refining and anti Si-poisoning effect in Al-10Si/Al-5Nb-B system

Grain refinement is critical for fabricating high-quality Al-Si casting components in the application of automobile and aerospace industries,while the well-known Si-poisoning effect makes it difficult.Nbbased refiners offer an effective method to refine Al-Si casting alloys,but their anti Si-poisoning capability is far from being understood.In this work,the grain refining mechanism and the anti Si-poisoning effect in the Al-10 Si/Al-5 Nb-B system were systematically investigated by combining transmission electron microscope,first-principles calculations,and thermodynamic calculations.It is revealed that NbB₂provides the main nucleation site in the Al-10 Si ingot inoculated by 0.1 wt.%Nb Al-5 Nb-B refiner.The exposed Nb atoms on the(0001)NbB₂and(1-100)NbB₂surface can be substituted by Al to form(Al,Nb)B₂intermedia layers.In addition,a layer of NbAl₃-like compound(NbAl₃')can cover the surface of NbB₂with the orientation relation of(1-100)[11-20]NbB_2//(110)[110]NbAl₃'.Both of the(Al,Nb)B₂and NbAl₃'intermedia layers contribute to enhancing the nucleation potency of NbB₂particles.These discoveries provide fundamental insight to the grain refining mechanism of the Nb-B based refiners for Al-Si casting alloys and are expected to guide the future development of stronger refiners for Al-Si casting alloys.     

Approximation Optimal Vibration Control with Applications to Jacket Offshore Platforms with Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - The vibration control problem of offshore jacket platforms is studied. The model of offshore platforms with nonlinear interactions of the...     

Nacre-Inspired,Liquid Metal-Based Ultrasensitive Electronic Skin by Spatially Regulated Cracking Strategy

The realization of liquid metal-based wearable systems will be a milestone toward high-performance, integrated electronic skin. However, despite the revolutionary progress achieved in many other components of electronic skin, liquid metal-based flexible sensors still suffer from poor sensitivity due to the insufficient resistance change of liquid metal to deformation. Herein, a nacre-inspired architecture composed of a biphasic pattern (liquid metal with Cr/Cu underlayer) as “bricks” and strain-sensitive Ag film as “mortar” is developed, which breaks the long-standing sensitivity bottleneck of liquid metal-based electronic skin. With 2 orders of magnitude of sensitivity amplification while maintaining wide (>85%) working range, for the first time, liquid metal-based strain sensors rival the state-of-art counterparts. This liquid metal composite features spatially regulated cracking behavior. On the one hand, hard Cr cells locally modulate the strain distribution, which avoids premature cut-through cracks and prolongs the defect propagation in the adjacent Ag film. On the other hand, the separated liquid metal cells prevent unfavorable continuous liquid-metal paths and create crack-free regions during strain. Demonstrated in diverse scenarios, the proposed design concept may spark more applications of ultrasensitive liquid metal-based electronic skins, and reveals a pathway for sensor development via crack engineering.     

Display illumination with modulated directional backlight

Illumination is essential for modern life as colorful world is perceived by human visionary system. Display technology has been developing rapidly in recent decades, and the basic principle is related to the way that the image is illuminated and light is emanated. Traditional illumination is provided by different types of light sources, and the display image is visible in large viewing space until the emanating light decays to zero. This work proposes and demonstrates a novel illumination scheme for a display in which the displaying images are visible only in specific spatial regions. The directional backlight ensures the image propagating to specific direction while imaging visibility can be controlled to terminate abruptly at certain distance from the display screen while exerting no influence to nearby regions. The working principle for such an illumination scheme is the use of the modulated coherent directional backlight through an axicon lens. It is shown that the illumination scheme can robustly deliver carried image information to the designated viewing region. This new illumination scheme has many advantages over conventional illumination, including its usage for personal display, very lower energy consumption, as well as minimizing light hazard pollution.     

有机二氟化硼配合物的合成及压致变色性能表征

以阿伏苯宗和三氟化硼为原料,经过一步反应,合成阿伏苯宗二氟化硼(BF2AVB),产物的结构经1HNMR谱确证.基于荧光光谱与X射线粉末衍射测试,对BF2AVB的压致发光性能和机理进行研究.本实验原料易得,反应条件温和,实验操作简单,反应收率高.BF2AVB的压致变色现象明显,通过探讨压致变色机理,加深同学对压致变色材料的了解.同时,该实验可以拓展学科知识,激发学生的专业热情和科研兴趣.     

Observations on the oral organelle,cytopharynx, and subpellicular structure of a Dileptus sp.

We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe the oral organelle, cytopharynx, and subpellicular structure of a Dileptus sp. The main results were as follows: (a) the cytostome was located on the ventral surface of the base of the beak, surrounded by a periportal matrix that integrated 135 microtube bundles. When these microtube bundles contract, radially arranged into a disk, the cytostome was closed. When these microtube bundles were stretch, they fell into the cytostome and opens. The diameter of the cytostome was about 16 μm regardless of its closure or opening, indicating that the contraction or elongation of these microtube bundles did not change the size of the cytostome, which was only related to whether it blocked the cytostome, thus determining the opening and closing of the cytostome. There were many microtube bundles on two sides of the feeding trough, which could widen or narrow the feeding trough and facilitate beak feeding. (b) The cytopharynx was basket‐like without a bottom with a diameter of about 6 μm and was woven from two kind fibers about 0.08 and 0.19 μm. (c) There were two types of extrusomes under the pellicle. Using transmission electron microscopy，the Type I extrusomes showed narrow and long egg shape, its cross section was circular which is composed by various electronic density of concentric. Using the scanning electron microscope, they were two slightly thin clavate, the length was about 5 μm, the diameter of the middle section was about 0.75 μm, and the diameter of the two ends was about 0.32 μm, they were distributed abundantly between the microtubule fasciculi which were located on both sides of the gap on the feeding groove. Using transmission electron microscopy, the Type II extrusomes showed egg shape. Using the scanning electron microscopy, they were about 1.6 × 0.8 μm in size, they were distributed abundantly under the body pellicle while rarely the proboscis. In addition, many different of developmental stages two types of extrusomes could be also seen in the cytoplasm. (d) There were very well‐developed fibrous systems under the pellicle that were woven from fibers about 0.14 μm in diameter that attached to the pellicle and bound some organelles in the cytoplasm (e.g., mitochondria, extrusomes) and other structures to the cytoplasm and maintained cell morphology. The results of this study not only supplement and enrich the morphological contents of the Dileptus sp., but also provide the basis for the study of the taxonomy of the Dileptus sp. It also provides a new method for researchers to explore the morphology and structure of ciliate cells under the cortex by SEM.     

Comparative study of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of natural fibres treated with chemical,physical and biological methods

Polymer Bulletin - Kenaf and luffa fibres are hydrophilic due to the presence of water sensitive constituents, which tend to form a poor compatibility when binding with polymers. Thus, the surface...     

单片机应用系统综合实验装置的设计

单片机原理与应用作为电子技术类学科中的必修课程具有很强实践性,要求学生掌握实际应用能力,为此研制了基于单片机系统通信为基础的实验板,依据单片机应用系统特点,可完成SPI、I^2C、UART串行通信以及并行总线方式通信。实验板有利于学生更好地了解和掌握单片机应用系统设计的方法,有利于学生进行自主设计和内容拓展。做到培养学生的学习能力、提高学生的学习兴趣、发挥学生的创造性。