Food allergies are a serious food safety and public health issue. Soybean, dairy, aquatic, poultry, and nut products are common allergens inducing allergic reactions and adverse symptoms such as ...atopic dermatitis, allergic eczema, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Probiotics are assumed as an essential ingredient in maintaining intestinal microorganisms' composition. They have unique physiological roles and therapeutic effects in maintaining the mucosal barrier, immune function, and gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, and preventing diarrhea and food allergies. Multiple pieces of evidence reveal a significant disruptive effect of probiotics on food allergy pathology and progression mechanisms. Thus, this review describes the allergenic proteins as an entry point and briefly describes the application of probiotics in allergenic foods. Then, the role of probiotics in preventing and curing allergic diseases by regulating human immunity through intestinal flora and intestinal barrier, modulating host immune active cells, and improving host amino acid metabolism are described in detail. The anti-allergic role of probiotics in the function and metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract has been comprehensively explored to furnish insights for relieving food allergy symptoms and preventing food allergy.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
We propose an approach for face image generation of virtual people with disentangled, precisely-controllable latent representations for identity of non-existing people, expression, pose, and ...illumination. We embed 3D priors into adversarial learning and train the network to imitate the image formation of an analytic 3D face deformation and rendering process. To deal with the generation freedom induced by the domain gap between real and rendered faces, we further introduce contrastive learning to promote disentanglement by comparing pairs of generated images. Experiments show that through our imitative-contrastive learning, the factor variations are very well disentangled and the properties of a generated face can be precisely controlled. We also analyze the learned latent space and present several meaningful properties supporting factor disentanglement. Our method can also be used to embed real images into the disentangled latent space. We hope our method could provide new understandings of the relationship between physical properties and deep image synthesis.
The stochastic gradient descent (SGD) algorithm has been widely used in statistical estimation for large-scale data due to its computational and memory efficiency. While most existing works focus on ...the convergence of the objective function or the error of the obtained solution, we investigate the problem of statistical inference of true model parameters based on SGD when the population loss function is strongly convex and satisfies certain smoothness conditions.
Our main contributions are twofold. First, in the fixed dimension setup, we propose two consistent estimators of the asymptotic covariance of the average iterate from SGD: (1) a plug-in estimator, and (2) a batch-means estimator, which is computationally more efficient and only uses the iterates from SGD. Both proposed estimators allow us to construct asymptotically exact confidence intervals and hypothesis tests.
Second, for high-dimensional linear regression, using a variant of the SGD algorithm, we construct a debiased estimator of each regression coefficient that is asymptotically normal. This gives a one-pass algorithm for computing both the sparse regression coefficients and confidence intervals, which is computationally attractive and applicable to online data.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, INZLJ, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK, ZRSKP
The digestive tract is home to millions of microorganisms and is the main and most important part of bacterial colonization. On one hand, the abundant bacterial community in intestinal tissues may ...pose potential health challenges such as inflammation and sepsis in cases of opportunistic invasion. Thus, the immune system has evolved and adapted to maintain the symbiotic relationship between host and microbiota. On the other hand, the intestinal microflora also exerts an immunoregulatory function to maintain host immune homeostasis, which cannot be neglected. In addition, the interaction of either microbiota or probiotics with immune system in regard to therapeutic applications is an area of great interest, and novel therapeutic strategies remain to be investigated. The review will elucidate interactions between intestinal microflora/probiotics and the immune system as well as novel therapeutic strategies.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is an emerging membrane - based technology that can be used to capture renewable energy released from mixing seawater and river water. When natural waters are used as ...feed solutions, the presence of multivalent ions and natural organic matter (NOM) results in a lower open circuit voltage (OCV) and power density. In this research, we modified the surface of standard anion exchange membranes (AEMs) via the facile layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI). Only moderate increase was introduced to the membrane area resistance. The modified membranes exhibited monovalent - anion selectivity comparable to that of commercial monovalent-ion selective membranes, and largely improved anti-organic fouling potential simultaneously. When tested in a RED process with feed waters containing not only chloride but sulfate and humic acid, the maximum gross power density generated was improved by up to 17% with polyelectrolyte-modified membranes. Also, the energy conversion efficiency of the modified membranes could be prominently increased by 3 times compared with standard AEM conversion. The results indicate significant efficacy of AEMs with polyelectrolyte multilayers on their membrane surface for RED application.
Display omitted
•Layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly were used to optimize membrane performance in RED.•Monovalent-anion selectivity and antifouling potential were enhanced simultaneously.•Energy conversion efficiency and RED power generation were largely improved.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
In our quest to leverage the capabilities of the emerging single-atom catalysts (SACs) for wastewater purification, we confronted fundamental challenges related to electron scarcity and instability. ...Through meticulous theoretical calculations, we identified optimal placements for nitrogen vacancies (Nv) and iron (Fe) single-atom sites, uncovering a dual-site approach that significantly amplified visible-light absorption and charge transfer dynamics. Informed by these computational insights, we cleverly integrated Nv into the catalyst design to boost electron density around iron atoms, yielding a potent and flexible photoactivator for benign peracetic acid. This exceptional catalyst exhibited remarkable stability and effectively degraded various organic contaminants over 20 cycles with self-cleaning properties. Specifically, the Nv sites captured electrons, enabling their swift transfer to adjacent Fe sites under visible light irradiation. This mechanism accelerated the reduction of the formed "peracetic acid-catalyst" intermediate. Theoretical calculations were used to elucidate the synergistic interplay of dual mechanisms, illuminating increased adsorption and activation of reactive molecules. Furthermore, electron reduction pathways on the conduction band were elaborately explored, unveiling the production of reactive species that enhanced photocatalytic processes. A six-flux model and associated parameters were also applied to precisely optimize the photocatalytic process, providing invaluable insights for future photocatalyst design. Overall, this study offers a molecule-level insight into the rational design of robust SACs in a photo-Fenton-like system, with promising implications for wastewater treatment and other high-value applications.
•A division of labor between the informal sector and the formal recycling plants in e-waste recycling in China was described.•An entropy maximization model of spatial interaction was built to depict ...the interprovincial flows of e-waste.•The optimization of the recycling system was proposed.
China has built a territory-based formal e-waste recycling system as a response to the global e-waste challenge. This system created a division of labor between the informal sector and formal recycling plants by providing a subsidy to the latter to buy waste products collected by the former. Using provincial data of formal e-waste recycling plants in China in 2014, this paper quantifies the contribution of the informal sector to e-waste transportation at the national level. Despite the intention to plan a regional self-sufficient system for e-waste recycling at the provincial level, we find that significant interprovincial flows exist due to the complex market transactions within the informal collection network, which reveals the deep conflicts between market mechanism and public intervention in the evolvement of e-waste governance structure. We built a spatial interaction model to depict the interregional flows of e-waste that can quantitatively illustrate the change of spatial pattern of this network due to the introduction of the formal WEEE regulation in China. In conclusion, we discuss the policy implications for optimizing regional allocation of the e-waste recycling capacity as well as for improving the transparency of the reverse logistic system to include the informal sector in the future.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
As the cost-effective and nontoxic alternative for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), Co9S8 has attracted much attention. This paper explores the regulation of Zn doping impacted the unique ...nanostructure and electrocatalytic performance on Co9S8. Herein, utilizing copper foam (CF) as substrate, a series of different nanostructure of (Zn-)Co9S8@CF has been synthesized by accurately varying the ratio of Zn2+ to Co2+. Compared with aggregated pure Co9S8 and other different ratios contrast samples, Zn–Co9S8@CF-(1-1) with a zinc to cobalt ratio of 1 possesses highly dispersity which can be attributed to the novel nano-neuron network structure. The electrochemical measurements for HER demonstrate that Zn–Co9S8@CF-(1-1) not only reveals superior activity with small overpotentials to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in acidic (278 mV) and alkaline (273 mV) media, but also exhibits long-time durability in the solution with a wide range of pH. The excellent performance of Zn–Co9S8@CF-(1-1) can be attributed to the unique reticular structure which can facilitate exposure of numerous active sites and favorable long-term stability. The substrate of three-dimensional CF can provide the remarkable conductivity. This work provides a precise and effective approach to regulate three-dimensional nanostructure of Zn-doped electrocatalysts for HER.
Display omitted
•Zn–Co9S8 on copper foam (CF) with a nano-neuron network structure is synthesized.•The ratios of Zn2+ to Co2+ can affect the structure of Zn–Co9S8@CF.•Zn–Co9S8@CF exhibits excellent activity and long-time durability with a wide range of pH.•Zn doping is a promising method for construct the novel structure of electrocatalysts.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Herein, we report divergent additions of 2,2′‐diazidobiphenyls to C60 and Sc3N@Ih‐C80. In stark contrast to that of the previously reported bis‐azide additions, the unexpected cascade reaction leads ...to the dearomative formation of azafulleroids 2 fused with a 7‐6‐5‐membered ring system in the case of C60. In contrast, the corresponding reaction with Sc3N@Ih‐C80 switches to the C−H insertion pathway, thereby resulting in multiple isomers, including a carbazole‐derived 6,6‐azametallofulleroid 3 and a 5,6‐azametallofulleroid 4 and an unusual 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrrolo3,2‐ccarbazole‐derived metallofullerene 5, whose molecular structures have been unambiguously determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. Among them, the addition type of 5 is observed for the first time in all reported additions of azides to fullerenes. Furthermore, unexpected isomerizations from 3 to 5 and from 4 to 5 have been discovered, providing the first examples of the isomerization of an azafulleroid to a carbazole‐derived fullerene rather than an aziridinofullerene. In particular, the isomerism of the 5,6‐isomer 4 to the 5,6‐isomer 5 is unprecedented in fullerene chemistry, contradicting the present understanding that isomerization generally occurs between 5,6‐ and 6,6‐isomers. Control experiments have been carried out to rationalize the reaction mechanism. Furthermore, representative azafulleroids have been applied in organic solar cells, thereby resulting in improved power conversion efficiencies.
Divergent reactivities of 2,2′‐diazidobiphenyls toward C60 and Sc3N@Ih‐C80 have been disclosed. In the case of C60, a dearomative cascade reaction results in the formation of azafulleroids fused with a 7‐6‐5‐membered ring system, whereas Sc3N@Ih‐C80 undergoes a C−H insertion pathway, with the generation of carbazole‐derived 6,6‐ and 5,6‐azametallofulleroids and an unusual 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrrolo3,2‐ccarbazole‐derived metallofullerene.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common presentations of food allergy seen in early childhood. It is also one of the most complex food allergies, being implicated in IgE‐mediated food ...allergy as well as diverse manifestations of non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy. For example, gastrointestinal CMA may present as food protein induced enteropathy, enterocolitis or proctocolitis. Concerns regarding the early and timely diagnosis of CMA have been highlighted over the years. In response to these, guideline papers from the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Europe, the Americas and the World Allergy Organisation have been published. The UK guideline, ‘Diagnosis and management of non‐IgE‐mediated cow's milk allergy in infancy—a UK primary care practical guide’ was published in this journal in 2013. This Milk Allergy in Primary Care (MAP) guideline outlines in simple algorithmic form, both the varying presentations of cow's milk allergy and also focuses on the practical management of the most common presentation, namely mild‐to‐moderate non‐IgE‐mediated allergy. Based on the international uptake of the MAP guideline, it became clear that there was a need for practical guidance beyond the UK. Consequently, this paper presents an international interpretation of the MAP guideline to help practitioners in primary care settings around the world. It incorporates further published UK guidance, feedback from UK healthcare professionals and affected families and, importantly, also international guidance and expertise.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
