Dual chemical crosslinking strategy to fabricate lightweight, flame-retardant, high-modulus and hydrophobic cellulose cryogel.

Cellulose cryogel shows great application potential as a thermal insulation material because of its eco-friendliness, lightweight, high porosity and highly-efficient thermal insulation property. However, the high flammability and hydrophilicity have become bottlenecks to restrict its application in the thermal insulation field. Herein, we synthesized an amylose derivative with ammonium phosphate groups (AM), and reported a dual chemical crosslinking strategy to fabricate lightweight, flame-retardant, high-modulus and hydrophobic cellulose cryogel with AM and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) via baking-crosslinking and chemical vapor deposition techniques.

How indoor decoration materials contribute to phthalates pollution: Uncovering occurrences, sources, and their implications for environmental burdens in households.

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs), widely used as plasticizers in decoration materials, are significant indoor pollutants. However, research on their potential environmental impact in indoor settings remains limited. In this study, nine PAEs were determined in 177 decoration materials (41 furniture panels, 42 flooring, 52 wall coverings, and 42 paint and coatings) collected from China.

A pilot airlift reactor integrated a low-shear swirl microbubble generator for yeast production using straw as substrate.

A pilot-scale airlift loop reactor (ALR) coupled with a low-shear swirl microbubble generator was first successfully designed and verified to improve mass transfer, mixing, and yeast production using straw. The hydrodynamics was explored in an air-straw-liquid system. With enhanced external circulation and microbubbles less than 150 μm, mass transfer was promoted by 11.

Robust Heteronuclear Correlations for Sub-milligram Protein in Ultrafast Magic-Angle Spinning Solid-State NMR.

Proton-detected solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) under ultrafast magic-angle spinning (MAS) has become a powerful tool for elucidating the structures of proteins with sub-milligram quantities, where establishing C-N correlations is essential. However, traditional C-N cross-polarization (CP), effective at lower MAS frequencies, suffers diminished efficiency under ultrafast MAS conditions. To overcome this limitation, we developed a robust method for selective polarization between insensitive nuclei (SPINE).

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Degradation of Food-Grade Lambda-Carrageenan by and Its Role in Inflammation.

Concerns about the safety of food additives have intensified among consumers, scientists, and policymakers. Ensuring the safety of these additives is crucial to public health. Carrageenan (CGN), a common additive in the food industry, has become the subject of controversy, particularly regarding whether it can be degraded in the gastrointestinal tract, forming degraded carrageenans (dCGNs) that may pose health risks.

Flavonoids and their metal complexes as potential agents for diabetes mellitus with future perspectives.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global health burden, with hyperglycemia as the main hallmark. This review commences with a concise overview of the intricate mechanisms underlying glucose uptake and utilization in organisms. Notably, we emphasize that T2DM management strategies pivot on delaying carbohydrate digestion, augmenting insulin secretion, and enhancing insulin sensitivity in target tissues.

Tunable 1D-2D Carbon Nanomaterials for Broadband and High-Performance Microwave Absorption via Ultrasonic Spray Ice Template.

Polymer-based one- and two-dimensional (1D-2D) carbon nanomaterials are considered promising microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) due to their high atomic utilization efficiency and tunable microscopic/macroscopic morphology. The tunable design of 1D-2D carbon nanomaterials through a facile method to meet the requirements of advanced MAMs remains a challenge. In this work, the environmentally friendly processing method of ultrasonic spray ice template (USIT) is employed to fabricate porous carbon nanomaterials based on Kapton-type polyimide, which exhibit the intriguing morphology of both 1D nanowires and 2D nanosheets.

Spore Powder Alleviates Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease by Improving Lipid Accumulation and Oxidative Stress via Autophagy.

Lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, which could be improved by autophagy, are the "hits" of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). spore powder (GLSP) has the effect of improving liver function. However, there are few reports about its effects on and mechanisms impacting MAFLD alleviation.

Recent Advances of the Effect of HO on VOC Oxidation over Catalysts: Influencing Factors, Inhibition/Promotion Mechanisms, and Water Resistance Strategies.

Water vapor is a significant component in real volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exhaust gas and has a considerable impact on the catalytic performance of catalysts for VOC oxidation. Important progress has been made in the reaction mechanisms of HO and water resistance strategies for VOC oxidation in recent years. Despite advancements in catalytic technology, most catalysts still exhibit low activity under humid conditions, presenting a challenge in reducing the adverse effects of HO on VOC oxidation.

Unveiling the seasonal transport and exposure risks of atmospheric microplastics in the southern area of the Yangtze River Delta, China.

This study investigates the prevalence and impacts of suspended atmospheric microplastics (SAMPs) in the coastal metropolitan city of Ningbo in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China. The sampling was conducted at both urban centre and urban-rural fringe areas, near the coast but distant from large urban populations. SAMP abundance ranged from 0.

Improved enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover by a low-temperature and low-pressure holding post-treatment.

Lignocellulose is one of the world's most abundant and underutilized biomass resources, and its proper treatment and utilization are critical to environmental issues and sustainable development. However, lignocellulose's inherently compact and intricate structure reduces enzymatic hydrolysis's efficiency, which is still an obstacle to overcome. A new pretreatment method with relatively low-temperature and low-pressure holding (LTLPH) after the traditional extrusion, pulp refining instrument (PFI), and instant catapult steam explosion (ICSE) was proposed to obtain a better output of corn stover saccharification.

Constructing Atomic Tungsten-Based Solid Frustrated-Lewis-Pair Sites with d-p Interactions for Selective CO Photoreduction.

Solid frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) shows remarkable advantages in the activation of small molecules such as CO, owing to the strong orbital interactions between FLP sites and reactant molecules. However, most of the currently constructed FLP sites are randomly distributed and easily reunited on the surface of catalysts, resulting in a low utilization rate of FLP sites. Herein, atomic tungsten-based FLP (N···W FLP) sites are constructed for photocatalytic CO conversion through introducing W single-atoms into polymeric carbon nitride.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal the alleviation effect of pectic polysaccharide on dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mice.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing disease with an increasing morbidity and prevalence. Dietary polysaccharides have recently become a research hotspot because of their therapeutic effects and safety on UC. Our previous research elucidated that pectic polysaccharide from Phyllanthus emblica L.

Phase-coded coherent microwave pulse generation based on an actively mode-locked optoelectronic parametric oscillator.

An approach for generating phase-coded coherent microwave pulse trains at high frequencies is proposed and demonstrated based on an actively mode-locked optoelectronic parametric oscillator (AML-OEPO), where an electrical mixer is inserted into the cavity of an optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) to achieve both mode locking and parameter oscillation. The driving signal applied to the mixer is a low-frequency sinusoidal signal with voltage polarity coding, where the frequency is the same as the free spectral range (FSR) of the OEO cavity, and the duration of each voltage polarity coding bit is identical to the loop delay. As a result, phase-coded coherent microwave pulse trains can be generated, where the pulse interval is equal to the loop delay due to the active mode locking effect, and the phase coding period is equal to a multiple integer of the loop delay due to parameter oscillation.

Low-Temperature and Highly Efficient Reduction of O-Containing CO Mixtures via Pt-Ni/CeO Oxygen Carriers.

Poor O tolerance and high reaction temperature of the conventional oxygen carriers challenge the direct utilization of impure CO via chemical looping. Here, Pt-Ni bimetallic Ce-based oxygen carriers with excellent O tolerance are developed for highly efficient reduction of O-containing CO at low temperatures. At a temperature as low as 700 °C, high CO conversion (≈92%) is obtained over 0.

Revisiting dietary proanthocyanidins on blood glucose homeostasis from a multi-scale structural perspective.

Multi-dimensional studies have consistently indicated the benefits of dietary proanthocyanidins on blood glucose homeostasis through consumption of them from fruits, cereals and nuts. Proanthocyanidins from various sources possess different structures, but even the minor variations in structures influence their regulation on blood glucose, including the degree of polymerization, galloacylation at C3, number of hydroxyl groups in B ring and linkage type. Therefore, this Review details the role of three types of proanthocyanidins (procyanidins, prodelphinidins and propelargonidins) in blood glucose control and their underlying mechanisms, and various structural features contribute to.

Self-assembled nano delivery system of fenugreek polysaccharides: Effects on curcumin bioavailability and molecular mechanisms.

Self-assembly of fenugreek polysaccharides FS60 (a natural macromolecular material) with curcuminoid has been proved to improve curcumin (Cur) water dispersion in preliminary studies. This study further explored the effect of FS60 on Cur bioavailability in vivo to assess the significance of this delivery method. In this study, we optimized the formulation parameters of FS60-curcuminoid aggregates (FC) and studied their effects on Cur pharmacokinetics in rats.

Comprehensive assessment of rice bran dietary fiber on gut microbiota composition and metabolism during in vitro fermentation.

Rice bran, a by-product of rice processing, is rich in various nutrients. As one of the main components of rice bran, dietary fiber has a variety of potential health benefits, especially its probiotic effects on gut health. This study involved the preparation and characterization of soluble rice bran dietary fibers (RB-SDF) and insoluble rice bran dietary fibers (RB-IDF), followed by an investigation into their gastrointestinal probiotic impact and principal metabolites.

Freely tunable phase-locked dual-frequency microwave signal generation from injection-locked broadband optoelectronic oscillator.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate an injection-locked broadband optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) to generate freely tunable phase-locked dual-frequency microwave signals. When two single-tone signals inside and outside the passband of the electrical broadband bandpass filter (BPF) are, respectively, injected into the OEO, a phase-locked dual-frequency microwave signal with ultra-low near-end side-mode spurs can be generated from the OEO cavity. Therefore, one frequency of the output signal is equal to the frequency of the injected signal within the BPF, and the other frequency is equal to the sum frequency or the differential frequency of two injected signals.

Design strategies of polysaccharide, protein and lipid-based nano-delivery systems in improving the bioavailability of polyphenols and regulating gut homeostasis.

Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites that have attracted much attention due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and gut homeostasis promoting effects. However, food matrix interaction, poor solubility, and strong digestion and metabolism of polyphenols cause barriers to their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, which further reduces bioavailability and limits polyphenols' application in the food industry. Nano-delivery systems composed of biocompatible macromolecules (polysaccharides, proteins and lipids) are an effective way to improve the bioavailability of polyphenols.

A Sucker-Reactor Polyoxometalate Assembled Superstructures for Efficient Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation.

Designing a reaction system that integrates reactant capture and transformation in an artificial photosynthesis system to achieve high reaction efficiency remains challenging. Here, an ionic liquid (IL) -polyoxometalate (POM) superstructure photocatalyst (P2HPMo) is reported, where the anisotropy of the superstructure is allowed by adjusting the alkyl chain lengths of ILs. Experimental data and theoretical simulation show that ILs and POM serve as the "sucker" and "reactor" of the reaction system to capture and transform the reactants, respectively.

Palmitoleic Acid Inhibits Hepatotoxic Effects by Reducing Trimethylamine--Oxide (TMAO) Formation in High L-Carnitine-Treated Mice.

Background/objectives: This study investigated the effects of palmitoleic acid (POA) consumption on liver function, intestinal microbiota, and trimethylamine--oxide (TMAO) levels in the serum of mice treated with 3% L-carnitine drinking water. The purpose was to highlight the impact of POA on liver injury associated with high L-carnitine intake.

Methods: A correlation analysis was carried out.

Sampling efficiency of flow-through air sampler: Effect of sampling rate.

The Flow Through Sampler (FTS) serves as an efficient wind-powered active sampling device, enabling the collection of a significant air volume within a short duration. Throughout the actual sampling process, the sampling rate of FTS experiences continuous fluctuations, highlighting the need for in-depth investigation into its impact on breakthrough. In this study, we interconnected the FTS sampling column with three distinct pumps, operating at five varied sampling rates under 293 K and 303 K; and breakthrough profiles of PCBs, PAHs and OCPs on the FTS sampling column were investigated to understand the impacts of sampling rate, expressed as linear wind velocity through the cross section of FTS tube (u) on the sampling efficiency of the sampling column.

Imaging of Cellular Inflammatory Response to Antibiotic Exposure with a DNAzyme Nanorobot.

Antibiotic-induced inflammation involves the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme whose expression in tissues is associated with the inflammatory pathway. However, existing methods for detecting MPO in cells are limited. In this study, a DNAzyme nanorobot was developed using a scaffold of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated with functional DNAzyme strands and their fluorophore-labeled substrate strands.