Coal sludge, a fine-grained by-product of hard coal benefit, comprises a mixture of coal particles and mineral and organic matter. Generated during sedimentation and dewatering processes in preparation plants, it is typically recovered as a semi-solid filter cake. The material has potential applications in energy production and, with appropriate processing and stabilization, could be utilized in geotechnical facilities. The strength properties defined by the internal friction angle and cohesion, as well as the deformation properties expressed by compressibility, are among the most important mechanical characteristics of soil. This article presents tests of coal sludge, for which the internal friction angle, cohesion, and oedometric primary and secondary moduli were determined. The material was prepared at its optimum moisture content and maximum dry density prior to testing. In the direct shear test, using a shear box of 6 × 6 cm, each sample was consolidated for 24 h under the applied vertical stress, under which it was subsequently sheared. The shear rate was constant at 0.01 mm/min, and the test was conducted up to 10% horizontal deformation. The vertical stresses applied ranged from 50 to 200 kPa. In the oedometer test, samples were prepared to fit the dimensions of the oedometer ring, and each subsequent load stage was applied after 24 h. The range of vertical stresses in this test was from 12.5 to 400 kPa. The results of the direct shear test (φ = 24°, c = 28 kPa) are similar to the strength parameters typically obtained for medium-cohesive soils, such as sandy silt (φ = 22°, c = 25 kPa. The results of the compressibility tests (0.89 MPa < M<sub>0</sub> < 6.35 MPa) correspond to values characteristic of organic soils, for example, organic silts (0.5 MPa < M<sub>0</sub> < 5 MPa). Moreover, analysis of the consolidation curves showed that up to a vertical stress of 100 kPa, coal sludge does not exhibit rheological behavior. The obtained results indicate that coal sludge, when compacted up to its optimum moisture content and to an adequate dry density, can be effectively utilized for geotechnical applications, such as the construction of isolation barriers, as a component of geotechnical mixtures, or as a sealing material for the reclamation of post-mining areas.
Isaura Borges-Silva, Marluce da Cunha Mantovani, Minh Danh Anh Luu
et al.
Pancreatic islet transplantation offers great promise for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, yet the functional decline of islets after isolation remains a major obstacle. Increasing evidence highlights the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a critical regulator of islet cell survival under stress. We explored how ex vivo culture conditions affect encapsulated islet resilience under ER-stress. Two conditions were assessed: (i) incorporation of decellularized porcine pancreatic extracellular matrix (ECM) into alginate microcapsules, and (ii) free-fall dynamic pre-conditioning culture. Human islets were encapsulated in alginate with or without ECM, cultured under static or dynamic conditions, and exposed to acute ER-stress followed or not by a recovery period. Dynamic culture preserved viability and enhanced glucose responsiveness. ECM-containing capsules showed reduced inflammatory marker expression, while encapsulation in alginate-only capsules led to more pronounced changes associated with ECM remodeling. Under ER-stress, the dynamic culture, especially combined with ECM, maintained cell function and reduced cell death. Gene profiles indicated improved stress adaptation and ECM remodeling. These results highlight ECM enrichment and dynamic culture as good strategies to maintain islet survival and functionality.
This study investigates the efficiency of electrocoagulation (EC) in removing Tartrazine Yellow (TY) azo dye from synthetic wastewater using aluminium electrodes. The effects of current density, <i>i</i> (0.008–0.024 A cm<sup>−2</sup>), initial solution pH (3.0–7.0), and treatment time, <i>t</i> (10–50 min) on key process parameters, including pH, temperature (<i>T</i>), TY dye concentration (<i>c</i>) and removal efficiency (<i>R</i>), anode consumption, and sludge characterisation were studied. The experiments were conducted in a batch reactor according to the experimental plan developed in Design-Expert software, which was also used for the evaluation of the obtained results. As the EC process progresses, the removal efficiency of the TY dye increases, while the removal dynamics and the final value of <i>R</i> (ranging from about 28% to 99%) depend on the experimental conditions (<i>i</i>, initial pH, and <i>t</i>). A high <i>R</i>-value is reached faster with the application of higher current densities and lower initial pH. This is associated with a higher proportion of carbon and sulphur in the sludge (from the TY dye) after the EC process. Additionally, a mathematical model was developed to predict the experimental data. A numerical optimisation method using response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to determine the optimal operating conditions for TY dye removal. This resulted in the following conditions: pH = 3.37, <i>t</i> = 18.74 min, and <i>i</i> = 0.016 A cm<sup>−2</sup>, achieving a removal efficiency of ≈70%.
Abstract Background Mitochondrial dyshomeostasis plays an important role in neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and Miro1 is a core protein that regulates mitochondrial homeostasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) via mitochondrial homeostasis in rats after cardiac arrest (CA), and to clarify the role that the protein Miro1 plays in this protective efficacy. Methods The study compared the effects of BMSCs in which Miro1 was overexpressed BMSCs (BMSCs-mirohi), knocked down (BMSCs-mirolo), and unmodified BMSCs on mitochondrial homeostasis in hippocampal neurons to evaluate their neuroprotective effects of these cells in a rat model of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Rats underwent CA modeling for 5 min and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Two hours after the restoration of spontaneous circulation, 1 mL of PBS or 1 mL containing 1 × 106 BMSCs (normal, mirohi, or mirolo) were injected via the femoral vein. The neurological function of rats was assessed based on Neurological Disability Score (NDS) values. Brain histopathological examination was conducted to evaluate brain injury by measuring oxidative stress levels and the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons. Immunoblotting and transmission electron microscopy were applied to detect the expression of mitophagy-related proteins in hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence was used to track the mitochondria in BMSCs and observe mitochondrial transfer. Additionally, the membrane potential level, oxidative stress level, and ATP content of mitochondria in hippocampal neurons were measured to assess the impact of transplanted BMSCs on mitochondrial quality in these hippocampal neurons. Results Immunofluorescence staining revealed the presence of mitochondria from MitoTracker-labeled BMSCs in rat hippocampal neurons post-CPR. Additionally, the fluorescence intensity of TOMM20 was notably increased following the transplantation of BMSCs. Through immunoblotting experiments, we identified that BMSCs amplified the post-CPR protein expression of LC3, p62, PINK1 and parkin in hippocampal neurons. The number of autophagosomes significantly increased in hippocampal neurons following BMSC transplantation, as observed through transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry, Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining, and NDS scoring indicated that BMSCs effectively reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation in hippocampal neurons and mitochondria after CPR. Furthermore, they restored mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels in the hippocampus while decreasing apoptosis, ultimately contributing to the restoration of neurological function. Additionally, unlike BMSCs-mirolo, BMSCs-mirohi were able to significantly enhance the efficiency of BMSC-mediated mitochondrial transfer and enhance mitophagy. This amplification, in turn, was found to bolster the protective impact of BMSCs on hippocampal neurons during CPR, thereby contributing to the restoration of rat neurological function. Conclusions These analyses revealed that BMSC transplantation has a dual protective effect by facilitating healthy mitochondrial transfer and promoting the autophagic degradation of damaged mitochondria, effectively enhancing hippocampal neuronal mitochondrial function following CA while reducing neuronal apoptosis, restoring neuronal function, and alleviating neuropathological damage. Moreover, Miro1 can enhance the efficiency of mitochondrial transfer and promote BMSC-mediated mitophagy induction, thereby optimizing the therapeutic effect of BMSCs.
In order to discover of high-energy materials with characteristics that surpass modern benchmarks, it is necessary to study the widest range of potential structures. The design of energetic compounds using high-nitrogen cage scaffolds provides new opportunities. One of the promising representatives of polycyclic multinitragen cages is the hexaazaisowurtzitane, since the most powerful explosive CL-20 is based on it. In recent years, the synthesis of CL-20 analogues has been actively developed. This review presents progress in the synthesis, performance and study of the structure-property relationship for energetic polynitro hexaazaisowurtzitanes over the past decade.
Comfort Nanbam Sariem, Maxwell Patrick Dapar, Nenman Musa Lenka
et al.
Background: The prolonged multi-drug treatment regimen for tuberculosis (TB) can lead to non-adherence and unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Educational and psychological health models can be used to design cognitive and behavioral interventions to improve adherence and treatment outcomes.
Objective: To determine the effect of cognitive and behavioral interventions on TB treatment outcomes.
Methods: The quasi-experimental study conducted in six TB treatment centers involved reinforced medication education and adherence counseling (MEAC), designed from a structured validated psychometric scale. Data were collected three different times during the intensive and continuation phases of treatment from 463 TB patients (232 in the control and 231 in the intervention group). Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between the groups. The generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze the repeated measures by determining if treatment success was associated with the cognitive and behavioral interventions and medication adherence.
Results: The males made up 290(62.6 %) of the population. The mean age was 36.75±13.9. Most of the TB patients were newly diagnosed 413(89.2%) and HIV negative 315(68%), with secondary level of education 216(46.6%). There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the groups. The intervention group was four times more likely to have treatment success (p<0.01; CI=1.5-8.4), compared to the control group. Medication-adherent TB patients were 24 times more likely to have treatment success than patients who did not adhere (p<0.001; 10.8-52.1). TB patients’ emotions, attitudes, and perceptions of their medicines were predictors of treatment success (p<0.05; 1.0 – 1.1).
Conclusion: The cognitive and behavioral interventions administered to TB patients improved successful treatment outcomes.
α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is a natural essential fatty acid widely found in plant seed oils and beans, which shows positive anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects. In our previous study, ALA was proven to bind tightly to the seven protein targets closely associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) by molecular docking, which indicates that ALA may have a potential role in the treatment of AR. A mouse model of AR induced by ovalbumin (OVA) was adopted in this study to explore the therapeutical effect and potential mechanism of ALA in treating AR. Results demonstrated that ALA remarkably relieved the nasal symptoms, reduced the OVA-sIgE level in the serum, relieved the histopathological injuries, and downregulated the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β in the nasal mucosa. ALA also remarkably moderated the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells, increased the mRNA expression levels of T-bet and STAT1, and reduced GATA3 and STAT6. ALA was proven to have a substantial therapeutic effect on mice with AR, and the underlying mechanism was likely to be the regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance through the JAK/T-bet/STAT1 and JAK/GATA3/STAT6 pathways. This study provides a specific experimental basis for the clinical use and drug development of ALA in the treatment of AR.
Christine Njiru, Wenxin Xue, Sander De Rouck
et al.
Abstract Background Generalist herbivores such as the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae thrive on a wide variety of plants and can rapidly adapt to novel hosts. What traits enable polyphagous herbivores to cope with the diversity of secondary metabolites in their variable plant diet is unclear. Genome sequencing of T. urticae revealed the presence of 17 genes that code for secreted proteins with strong homology to “intradiol ring cleavage dioxygenases (DOGs)” from bacteria and fungi, and phylogenetic analyses show that they have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from fungi. In bacteria and fungi, DOGs have been well characterized and cleave aromatic rings in catecholic compounds between adjacent hydroxyl groups. Such compounds are found in high amounts in solanaceous plants like tomato, where they protect against herbivory. To better understand the role of this gene family in spider mites, we used a multi-disciplinary approach to functionally characterize the various T. urticae DOG genes. Results We confirmed that DOG genes were present in the T. urticae genome and performed a phylogenetic reconstruction using transcriptomic and genomic data to advance our understanding of the evolutionary history of spider mite DOG genes. We found that DOG expression differed between mites from different plant hosts and was induced in response to jasmonic acid defense signaling. In consonance with a presumed role in detoxification, expression was localized in the mite’s gut region. Silencing selected DOGs expression by dsRNA injection reduced the mites’ survival rate on tomato, further supporting a role in mitigating the plant defense response. Recombinant purified DOGs displayed a broad substrate promiscuity, cleaving a surprisingly wide array of aromatic plant metabolites, greatly exceeding the metabolic capacity of previously characterized microbial DOGs. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the laterally acquired spider mite DOGs function as detoxification enzymes in the gut, disarming plant metabolites before they reach toxic levels. We provide experimental evidence to support the hypothesis that this proliferated gene family in T. urticae is causally linked to its ability to feed on an extremely wide range of host plants.
The integration of non-enzymatic glucose sensing entities into device designs compatible with industrial production is crucial for the broad take-up of non-invasive glucose sensors. Copper and its oxides have proven to be promising candidates for electrochemical glucose sensing. They can be fabricated in situ enabling integration with standard copper metallisation schemes for example in printed circuit boards (PCBs). Here, copper oxide electrodes are prepared on flexible polyimide substrates through direct annealing of patterned electrode structures. Both annealing temperature and duration are tuned to optimise the sensor surface for optimum glucose detection. A combination of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques is used to follow changes to the surface morphology and chemistry under the varying annealing conditions. The observed physico-chemical electrode characteristics are directly compared with electrochemical testing of the sensing performance, including chronoamperommetry and interference experiments. A clear influence of both aspects on the sensing behaviour is observed and an anneal at 250 °C for 8 h is identified as the best compromise between sensor performance and low interference from competing analytes.
Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials, Chemical technology
There are many issues facing society, such as energy/food/water security, plastic pollution, antibiotic resistance, global warming and the COVID-19 pandemic [...]
Gad Hend A., Tayel Ahmed A., Al-Saggaf Mohammed S.
et al.
The invasion of fish/seafoods by zoonotic pathogens causes health threats to humans. Plant derivatives and phytosynthesized nanometals could promisingly overcome bacterial infections/contaminations. The extract of pomegranate rinds (PRE) was innovatively employed for biosynthesizing selenium nanorods (Se-NRs). These agents were assessed as antibacterial candidates against diverse fish-borne pathogenic species (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis). The PRE-synthesized Se-NRs, within 60 min of contact, were negatively charged (‒32 mV) and had mean diameter of 62.31 nm and length range of 443.5–1236.9 nm. The designated infrared spectra for PRE and PRE/Se-NRs composite validated the biosynthesis, bonding, and interactions of the nanocomposite. The antibacterial potentialities of PRE, phytosynthesized Se-NRs, and PRE/Se-NRs composite was confirmed toward the entire challenged pathogens; S. aureus had the highest resistance (with inhibitory concentrations of 72.5, 60.0, and 55.0 mg/L, respectively) and S. paucimobilis was the most sensitive (with inhibitory concentrations of 55.0, 45.0, and 42.5 mg/L, respectively). The ultrastructure of the treated S. paucimobilis with PRE/Se-NRs emphasized the composite potentiality for deforming/distorting cells within 4 h and causing full cells’ destruction and deformation within 8 h of exposure. The PRE-phytosynthesized Se-NRs are advocated as potent antibacterial products against fish-borne pathogens for decontaminating fisheries farms and products.
In this study, we prepared complex nanoparticles from a combination of two proteins and one polysaccharide for the encapsulation and delivery of lipophilic bioactive compounds. Two proteins, zein and sodium caseinate (NaCas), provided a hydrophobic core for the encapsulation of a lipophilic compound (curcumin), while a polysaccharide dialdehyde, oxidized dextran, served as the coating material and macromolecular crosslinker to create covalent linkage with two proteins for stabilization purposes. The heating time and crosslinker concentration were optimized to achieve the desirable colloidal stability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Our results suggested that heating time played a more important role than the concentration of oxidized dextran. The optimized complex nanoparticles had a particle size of around 150 nm with a PDI < 0.1 and negative surface charge. Morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy revealed a spherical shape and uniform size distribution. Fourier transform infrared and fluorescence spectroscopies evidenced the formation of Schiff base complex, confirming the validity of covalent crosslinking. Furthermore, the complex nanoparticles demonstrated superior encapsulation properties for curcumin, showing an efficiency of >90% at 10% loading. A rather slow kinetic release profile of curcumin from complex nanoparticles was observed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The complex nanoparticles prepared from zein, NaCas, and oxidized dextran hold promising potential for the oral delivery of lipophilic bioactive compounds.
Daniel Gonzalez, Szeifoul Afadlal, Kristin Lizal
et al.
Background: It is known that eye enucleation causes various morphological and functional alterations in the central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of this study was to examine the sub-chronic effects of monocular enucleation on the distribution of the calcium binding proteins calbindin D28k (CB) and parvalbumin (PV) as well as the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity in the superior colliculus (SC) of Wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty young adult (8 weeks) male Wistar rats from SLC (Shizuoka, Japan), weighing 200-250 grams, were housed in separate cages under controlled conditions with a constant temperature kept in 12:12 light/dark cycle and ad libitum water and food. In this study the rats were divided into two groups, a control and an enucleated groups. The experimental group received unilateral eye enucleation and was allowed 1, 4 or 12 weeks recovery before sacrificed.
Results: Unilateral enucleation over a period of 1 week or more caused a decrease in the number CB-immunoreactive (CBIR) neurons. This loss was associated with an increase in GFAP-IR astrocytes in the superficial gray layer and the optic layer of the SC with contralateral side predominance. In addition, the CB-IR neurons illustrated a smaller soma and poor dendritic arborization. Conversely, the GFAP-IR astrocytes were hypertrophied with longer foot processes on the contralateral side of enucleation. Interestingly, the number of PV-IR neurons was elevated for up to 4 weeks in enucleated rats versus shamoperated rats.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of calcium-binding protein homeostasis and reversible glial response for maintaining variability of neuronal function in sub-cortical visual centers following optic nerve deafferentation.
Keywords: enucleation, superior colliculus, calbindin D28k, parvalbumin, glial fibrillary acidic protein
Earth-abundant metal sulfides attracts large attention in recent years for hydrogen production via electrocatalytic water splitting. However, most works have been limited to the acidic condition, whereas the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline condition has rarely been discussed. Here we present an effective strategy for the growing of Co-Mo-S catalysts on carbon cloth via the controllable incorporation of cobalt into MoS2 with L-cysteine and phosphomolybdic acid to achieve the synergistic interaction of CoS2 and MoS2. The optimized Co-Mo-S catalysts (Co:Mo=1:2) showed a largely improved HER activity with an overpotential of 92 mV at current density of 10 mA cm-2 and Tafel slope of 82 mV dec-1. The origin of the activity enhancement was investigated through a series of characterizations, where the synergetic effect of the intrinsic fast HER kinetics of metallic CoS2 and the high active surface area of MoS2 plays a crucial role. With appropriate amount of cobalt, the Co-Mo-S catalysts show a relatively uniform distribution on the carbon cloth to ensure the large surface area, whereas excessive cobalt results in the formation of the large CoS2 particles with low HER activity from the low active surface area. Further electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the combination of larger exchange current density of CoS2 and the high electrochemical double–layer capacitance (proportional to the active surface area) of MoS2 together contributed to the HER activity enhancement of the Co-Mo-S catalysts. The Co-Mo-S/CC catalysts also show robust stability in alkaline solution. Our work provides a more profound understanding and an interesting view for the design of efficient ternary transition metal sulfide HER catalysts in alkaline condition by synergetic optimization of the intrinsic HER kinetics and the electrochemical active surface area.
Industrial electrochemistry, Physical and theoretical chemistry
Corroles are a developing class of tetrapyrrole-based molecules with significant chemical potential and relatively unexplored photophysical properties. We combined femtosecond broadband fluorescence up-conversion and fs broadband Vis-pump Vis-probe spectroscopy to comprehensively characterize the photoreaction of 5,10,15-tris-pentafluorophenyl-corrolato-antimony(V)-trans-difluoride (Sb-tpfc-F2). Upon fs Soret band excitation at ~400 nm, the energy relaxed almost completely to Q band electronic excited states with a time constant of 500 ± 100 fs; this is evident from the decay of Soret band fluorescence at around 430 nm and the rise time of Q band fluorescence, as well as from Q band stimulated emission signals at 600 and 650 nm with the same time constant. Relaxation processes on a time scale of 10 and 20 ps were observed in the fluorescence and absorption signals. Triplet formation showed a time constant of 400 ps, with an intersystem crossing yield from the Q band to the triplet manifold of between 95% and 99%. This efficient triplet formation is due to the spin-orbit coupling of the antimony ion.
Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite cathode materials were successfully synthesized via a sol-gel route based on LiOH·H2O, V2O5, NH4H2PO4 and C6H8O7·H2O (citric acid) as raw materials. Citric acid acts as a chelating reagent and a carbon source during the synthesis process, which can improve the conductivity of the composite materials and hinder the growth of Li3V2(PO4)3 particles. The thermal stability, crystal structure and morphology of the as-prepared powders were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicate that the sintering temperatures have a remarkable effect on the crystal structure, morphology and particle size of Li3V2(PO4)3/C composites. Demonstrated by XRD patterns, Li3V2(PO4)3/C composites have a monoclinic structure indexed to the P21/n space group and well crystallized single phase calcined at 800 °C. TEM images show Li3V2(PO4)3/C particles are roughly nanospheres in the diameter of about 50 nm embedded in carbon networks. Electrochemical tests show that Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite synthesized at 800 °C for 8 h displays the best electrochemical performances among these Li3V2(PO4)3/C composites. Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite synthesized at 800 °C for 8 h shows that the discharge capacities in the first and 100th cycle are 169.65 and 131.72 mAh g–1, respectively, in the voltage of 3.0−4.8 V at the current rate of 30 mA g–1. When the current rate is raised to 120 mA g–1, Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite calcined at 800 °C for 8 h delivers the high initial capacity of 156.04 mAh g– and still maintains a capacity of 123.5 mAh g–1 after 100 cycles, indicating that Li3V2(PO4)3/C composite with high discharge capacity and good rate capability can be obtained via this sol-gel method.
Industrial electrochemistry, Physical and theoretical chemistry
Risa Omura, Kohjiro Nagao, Norihiro Kobayashi
et al.
ABCA1 mediates the efflux of cholesterol and phospholipids into apoA-I to form HDL, which is important in the prevention of atherosclerosis. To develop a novel method for the evaluation of HDL formation, we prepared an apoA-I-POLARIC by labeling the specific residue of an apoA-I variant with a hydrophobicity-sensitive fluorescence probe that detects the environmental change around apoA-I during HDL formation. apoA-I-POLARIC possesses the intact ABCA1-dependent HDL formation activity and shows 4.0-fold higher fluorescence intensity in HDL particles than in the lipid-free state. Incubation of apoA-I-POLARIC with ABCA1-expressing cells, but not ABCA1-non-expressing cells, caused a 1.7-fold increase in fluorescence intensity. Gel filtration analysis demonstrated that the increase in fluorescence intensity of apoA-I-POLARIC represents the amount of apoA-I incorporated into the discoidal HDL particles rather than the amount of secreted cholesterol. THP-1 macrophage-mediated HDL formation and inhibition of HDL formation by cyclosporine A could also be measured using apoA-I-POLARIC. Furthermore, HDL formation-independent lipid release induced by microparticle formation or cell death was not detected by apoA-I-POLARIC. These results demonstrate that HDL formation by ABCA1-expressing cells can be specifically detected by sensing hydrophobicity change in apoA-I, thus providing a novel method for assessing HDL formation and screening of the HDL formation modulator.