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International Journal of... Jul 2024The present study investigated the capability of cassava peel () in Pb(II) and Cr(VI) removal. The comparative study was conducted using batch method observing some...
The present study investigated the capability of cassava peel () in Pb(II) and Cr(VI) removal. The comparative study was conducted using batch method observing some parameters. The results indicated that the optimum adsorption of Pb(II) occurred at pH 5, initial concentration of 1000 mg/L, and contact time of 50 min. On the other hand, the optimal adsorption of Cr(VI) was achieved at pH 2, initial concentration of 1200 mg/L, and contact time of 70 min. The adsorption isotherms of both metals tended to follow the Langmuir model, while the adsorption kinetics suited to pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous (Δ° negative), endothermic (Δ° positive), and exhibited surface dispersion on the biosorbent (Δ° positive). Characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetry (TGA) provided evidence of both physical and chemical adsorption. The adsorption capacity of cassava peel was also tested on samples collected approximately 30 m from the bay shoreline, resulting in a removal percentage of 94.67% for Pb(II) and 82.28% for Cr(VI) under optimal pH and contact time conditions.
PubMed: 38958221
DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2024.2372851 -
The Laryngoscope Jul 2024Despite otitis media and various disease processes being associated with endolymphatic hydrops (EH), an exact explanation of the pathophysiology has yet to be reported....
OBJECTIVES
Despite otitis media and various disease processes being associated with endolymphatic hydrops (EH), an exact explanation of the pathophysiology has yet to be reported. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the cochlear lateral wall structures and their potential correlation with the presence and severity of cochlear EH in acute and chronic otitis media cases. The investigations were conducted in both chinchilla animal model and human temporal bone specimens.
METHODS
We studied a total of 15 chinchilla and 25 human temporal bones from our collection, which were categorized into acute otitis media, chronic otitis media (COM), and control groups. Through quantitative analysis, we measured the area of cochlear lateral wall structures and observed the presence and the degree of EH using light microscopy.
RESULTS
No significant changes were determined in the area of the spiral ligament (p > 0.05) across the species. However, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the mean area of the stria vascularis in the basal turn was identified in COM groups compared to controls of both species. Chinchilla model additionally exhibited pathology extending to the lower mid turn. A negative correlation was found between the mean strial area and the severity of EH in both the animal model and human samples.
CONCLUSIONS
COM associated with significant changes in the stria vascularis that may lead to significant increase in the degree of EH. The presented animal model exhibited parallel findings with human samples, suggesting its viability as a valuable model for future studies.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
N/A Laryngoscope, 2024.
PubMed: 38958129
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31626 -
Pest Management Science Jul 2024Aphid infestation adversely affects the yield and quality of crops. Rapid reproduction and insecticidal resistance have made controlling aphids in the field challenging....
BACKGROUND
Aphid infestation adversely affects the yield and quality of crops. Rapid reproduction and insecticidal resistance have made controlling aphids in the field challenging. Therefore, the present study investigated the insecticidal property of Penicillium oxalicum (QLhf-1) and its mechanism of action against aphids, Hyalopterus arundimis Fabricius.
RESULTS
Bioassay revealed that the control efficacy of the spores against aphids (86.30% and 89.05% on the third day and fifth day after infection, respectively) were higher than other components, such as the mycelium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that QLhf-1 invaded the aphid cuticle through spores and used the aphid tissues as a nutrient source for growth and reproduction, causing stiffness and atrophy and a final death. Three extracellular enzymes, lipase, protease, and chitinase had a synergistic effect with spores, and they acted together to complete the infection process by degrading the aphid body wall and accelerating the infection process.
CONCLUSION
The newly discovered endophytic penicillin strain P. oxalicum 'QLhf-1' can effectively kill aphids. The results provided strong evidence for the biological control of aphids, and lay a foundation for the development and utilization of QLhf-1. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PubMed: 38958097
DOI: 10.1002/ps.8288 -
Journal of the Science of Food and... Jul 2024The formation of ice crystals will have adverse effects on aquatic products, and the key to ensure the long-term preservation and better quality preservations of the...
BACKGROUND
The formation of ice crystals will have adverse effects on aquatic products, and the key to ensure the long-term preservation and better quality preservations of the product is to evaluate the intercellular ice crystal formation to find suitable refrigeration conditions and cryoprotectants.
RESULTS
The ice crystal formation was successfully captured by using an inverted microscope cryomicroscopic system equipped with a low-temperature stage, the ice crystals formed under different freezing methods between tuna muscle cells were observed directly, the deformation degree of muscle tissue pores during crystallization was evaluated, and the effect of freeze-thaw times on tuna samples was analyzed. The effects of the use of cryoprotectant such as cellobiose and carboxylated cellulose nanofibers on ice-growth inhibition were investigated, and the reliability of the ice crystal observation results was further verified by the determination of physical properties. The results showed that carboxylated cellulose nanofibers had the best ice-growth inhibition effect, they prevented about 50% cell deformation compared with the control group, and also reduced the minimum size of ice crystal formation. In addition, the addition of cellobiose and sodium tripolyphosphate gave the ice crystals a more uniform size and roundness.
CONCLUSION
The experiment proposed a stable and clear observation method for the process of intercellular ice crystal formation, and the accuracy of the observation method was further verified by some physical indicators. This may help in the selection of suitable measurement methods to directly observe ice crystal formation behavior and screen cryoprotectants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PubMed: 38958073
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13719 -
Small Methods Jul 2024The increasing demand for electric vehicles necessitates the development of cost-effective, mass-producible, long-lasting, and highly conductive batteries. Making this...
The increasing demand for electric vehicles necessitates the development of cost-effective, mass-producible, long-lasting, and highly conductive batteries. Making this kind of battery is exceedingly tricky. This study introduces an innovative fabrication technique utilizing a laser-induced graphene (LIG) approach on commercial Kapton film to create hexagonal pores. These pores form vertical conduction paths for electron and ion transportation during lithiation and delithiation, significantly enhancing conductivity. The nongraphitized portion of the Kapton film makes it a binder-less, free-standing electrode, providing mechanical stability. Various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are utilized to confirm the transformation of a 3D porous graphene sheet from a commercial Kapton film. Cross-sectional SEM images verify the vertical connections. The specific capacity of 581 mAh g is maintained until the end, with 99% coulombic efficiency at 0.1C. This simple manufacturing method paves the pathway for future LIG-based, cost-effective, lightweight, mass-producible, long-lasting, vertically conductive electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.
PubMed: 38958066
DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400189 -
ACS Nano Jul 2024In van der Waals materials, external strain is an effective tool to manipulate and control electronic responses by changing the electronic bands upon lattice...
In van der Waals materials, external strain is an effective tool to manipulate and control electronic responses by changing the electronic bands upon lattice deformation. In particular, the band gap of the layered transition metal pentatelluride HfTe is sufficiently small to be inverted by subtle changes of the lattice parameters resulting in a strain-tunable topological phase transition. In that case, knowledge about the spatial homogeneity of electronic properties becomes crucial, especially for the microfabricated thin film circuits used in typical transport measurements. Here, we reveal the homogeneity of exfoliated HfTe thin films by spatially resolved Raman microscopy. Comparing the Raman spectra under applied external strain to unstrained bulk references, we pinpoint local variations of Raman signatures to inhomogeneous strain profiles in the sample. Importantly, our results demonstrate that microfabricated contacts can act as sources of significant inhomogeneities. To mitigate the impact of unintentional strain and its corresponding modifications of the electronic structure, careful Raman microscopy constitutes a valuable tool for quantifying the homogeneity of HfTe films and circuits fabricated thereof.
PubMed: 38958041
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c02081 -
Journal of Cell Science Jul 2024Cellular heterogeneity is a well-accepted feature of tissues, and both transcriptional and metabolic diversity have been revealed by numerous approaches, including...
Cellular heterogeneity is a well-accepted feature of tissues, and both transcriptional and metabolic diversity have been revealed by numerous approaches, including optical imaging. However, the high magnification objective lenses needed for high-resolution imaging provides information from only small layers of tissue, which can result in poor cell statistics. There is therefore an unmet need for an imaging modality that can provide detailed molecular and cellular insight within intact tissue samples in 3D. Using GFP-tagged GLUT4 as proof of concept, we present here a novel optical mesoscopy approach that allows precise measurement of the spatial location of GLUT4 within specific anatomical structures across the myocardium in ultrathick sections (5 mm x 5 mm x 3 mm) of intact mouse heart. We reveal distinct GLUT4 distribution patterns across cardiac walls and highlight specific changes in GLUT4 expression levels in response to high fat diet-feeding, and we identify sex-dependent differences in expression patterns. This method is applicable to any target that can be labelled for light microscopy, and to other complex tissues when organ structure needs to be considered simultaneously with cellular detail.
PubMed: 38958032
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.262146 -
Nanotechnology Jul 2024This study employs cold-wall chemical vapor deposition to achieve the growth of MoTethin films on 4-inch sapphire substrates. A two-step growth process is utilized,...
This study employs cold-wall chemical vapor deposition to achieve the growth of MoTethin films on 4-inch sapphire substrates. A two-step growth process is utilized, incorporating MoOand Te powder sources under low-pressure conditions to synthesize MoTe2. The resultant MoTethin films exhibit a dominant 1T' phase, as evidenced by a prominent Raman peak at 161 cm. This preferential 1T' phase formation is attributed to controlled manipulation of the second-step growth temperature, essentially the reaction stage between Te vapor and the pre-deposited MoOx layer. Under these optimized growth conditions, the thickness of the continuous 1T'-MoTefilms can be precisely tailored within the range of 3.5 - 5.7 nm (equivalent to 5 - 8 layers), as determined by atomic force microscopy depth profiling. Hall-effect measurements unveil a typical hole concentration and mobility of 0.2 cm/V-s and 7.9 × 10cm, respectively, for the synthesized few-layered 1T'-MoTe2 films. Furthermore, Ti/Al bilayer metal contacts deposited on the few-layered 1T'-MoTefilms exhibit low specific contact resistances of approximately 1.0 × 10Ω-cmestimated by the transfer length model. This finding suggests a viable approach for achieving low ohmic contact resistance using the 1T'-MoTeintermediate layer between metallic electrodes and two-dimensional semiconductors.
PubMed: 38958023
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad5db7 -
IUCrJ Jul 2024In the folded state, biomolecules exchange between multiple conformational states crucial for their function. However, most structural models derived from experiments...
In the folded state, biomolecules exchange between multiple conformational states crucial for their function. However, most structural models derived from experiments and computational predictions only encode a single state. To represent biomolecules accurately, we must move towards modeling and predicting structural ensembles. Information about structural ensembles exists within experimental data from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Although new tools are available to detect conformational and compositional heterogeneity within these ensembles, the legacy PDB data structure does not robustly encapsulate this complexity. We propose modifications to the macromolecular crystallographic information file (mmCIF) to improve the representation and interrelation of conformational and compositional heterogeneity. These modifications will enable the capture of macromolecular ensembles in a human and machine-interpretable way, potentially catalyzing breakthroughs for ensemble-function predictions, analogous to the achievements of AlphaFold with single-structure prediction.
Topics: Protein Conformation; Crystallography, X-Ray; Proteins; Databases, Protein; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Models, Molecular; Humans
PubMed: 38958015
DOI: 10.1107/S2052252524005098 -
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Jul 2024This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Seed Shell Polyphenol Extract (EFSSPE) on a foodborne pathogenic bacterium. EFSSPE showed antimicrobial activity toward...
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Seed Shell Polyphenol Extract (EFSSPE) on a foodborne pathogenic bacterium. EFSSPE showed antimicrobial activity toward Typhimurium CICC 22956; the minimum inhibitory concentration of EFSSPE was 1.25 mg/mL, the inhibition curve also reflected the inhibitory effect of EFSSPE on the growth of . Typhimurium. Detection of alkaline phosphatase outside the cell revealed that EFSSPE treatment damaged the cell wall integrity of Typhimurium. EFSSPE also altered the membrane integrity, thereby causing leaching of 260-nm-absorbing material (bacterial proteins and DNA). Moreover, the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase were inhibited by EFSSPE. The hydrophobicity and clustering ability of cells were affected by EFSSPE. Scanning electron microscopy showed that EFSSPE treatment damaged the morphology of the tested bacteria. These results indicate that EFSSPE can destroy the cell wall integrity and alter the permeability of the cell membrane of Typhimurium.
PubMed: 38957974
DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2023.0185