Phloretin and its glycoside phlorizin have been reported to prevent obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD), but the effect of 3-OH phloretin, a catechol metabolite of phloretin, has not been ...investigated. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of phloretin and 3-OH phloretin in HFD-fed mice. The body weight gain induced by HFD was more inhibited by administration of 3-OH phloretin than by phloretin. The increases in fat mass, white adipose tissue (WAT) weight, adipocyte size, and lipid accumulation by HFD were also remarkably inhibited by 3-OH phloretin and, to a lesser extent, by phloretin. The HFD-induced upregulation of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines was suppressed by 3-OH phloretin, preventing M1 macrophages from infiltrating into WAT and thereby reducing WAT inflammation. 3-OH phloretin also showed a more potent effect than phloretin on suppressing the expression of adipogenesis regulator genes, such as PPARγ2, C/EBPα, FAS, and CD36. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels increased by HFD were diminished by the administration of 3-OH phloretin, suggesting that 3-OH phloretin may alleviate obesity-induced insulin resistance. These findings suggested that 3-OH phloretin has the potential to be a natural bioactive compound that can be used in the prevention or treatment of obesity and insulin resistance.
Hierarchically well‐developed porous graphene nanofibers comprising N‐doped graphitic C (NGC)‐coated cobalt oxide hollow nanospheres are introduced as anodes for high‐rate Li‐ion batteries. For this, ...three strategies, comprising the Kirkendall effect, metal–organic frameworks, and compositing with highly conductive C, are applied to the 1D architecture. In particular, NGC layers are coated on cobalt oxide hollow nanospheres as a primary transport path of electrons followed by graphene‐nanonetwork‐constituting nanofibers as a continuous and secondary electron transport path. Superior cycling performance is achieved, as the unique nanostructure delivers a discharge capacity of 823 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 3.0 A g−1 with a low decay rate of 0.092% per cycle. The rate capability is also noteworthy as the structure exhibits high discharge capacities of 1035, 929, 847, 787, 747, 703, 672, 650, 625, 610, 570, 537, 475, 422, 294, and 222 mAh g−1 at current densities of 0.5, 1.5, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 80, and 100 A g−1, respectively. In view of the highly efficient Li+ ion/electron diffusion and high structural stability, the present nanostructuring strategy has a huge potential in opening new frontiers for high‐rate and long‐lived stable energy storage systems.
Hierarchically well‐developed porous graphene nanofibers comprising N‐doped graphitic C‐coated cobalt oxide hollow nanospheres are introduced as anodes for high‐rate Li‐ion batteries. In view of the highly efficient Li+ ion/electron diffusion and high structural stability, the unique nanostructuring strategy has a huge potential in opening new frontiers for high‐rate and long‐lived stable energy storage systems.
Golden bristlegrass‐like unique nanostructures comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) matrixed nanofibers entangled with bamboo‐like N‐doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) containing CoSe2 nanocrystals at ...each node (denoted as N‐CNT/rGO/CoSe2 NF) are designed as anodes for high‐rate sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Bamboo‐like N‐doped CNTs (N‐CNTs) are successfully generated on the rGO matrixed nanofiber surface, between rGO sheets and mesopores, and interconnected chemically with homogeneously distributed rGO sheets. The defects in the N‐CNTs formed by a simple etching process allow the complete phase conversion of Co into CoSe2 through the efficient penetration of H2Se gas inside the CNT walls. The N‐CNTs bridge the vertical defects for electron transfer in the rGO sheet layers and increase the distance between the rGO sheets during cycles. The discharge capacity of N‐CNT/rGO/CoSe2 NF after the 10 000th cycle at an extremely high current density of 10 A g−1 is 264 mA h g−1, and the capacity retention measured at the 100th cycle is 89%. N‐CNT/rGO/CoSe2 NF has final discharge capacities of 395, 363, 328, 304, 283, 263, 246, 223, 197, 171, and 151 mA h g−1 at current densities of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 A g−1, respectively.
As high‐performance anodes for sodium‐ion batteries, golden bristlegrass‐like graphene nanofibers entangled with N‐doped CNTs containing CoSe2 nanocrystals are designed and synthesized. The synthesized unique nanostructure exhibits high cycling and rate performances even at extremely high current densities. The synergistic effect of the golden bristlegrass‐like unique structure and the N‐doped CNTs/graphene composite results in efficient anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.
AbstractConnection details are critical for both seismic performance and constructability of underground precast concrete (PC) shear wall systems. Current traditional wall-to-wall shear connection ...details present considerable constructability issues. To address this issue, application of cast-in-place (CIP) connecting beams (i.e., cap and waling beams) at the top and midheight of a precast shear wall system was studied. Under the capacity design concept specified in current standards, three test specimens were designed and tested under the reversed cyclic loadings. Of the three, two employed CIP connecting beams. The third, which served as the reference specimen, adopted the traditional ductile connection detail of embedded wire loops. In addition, numerical simulations and corresponding reverse analyses were conducted to identify the effect of wall-to-wall shear connection details on seismic performance of the precast shear wall systems. Although excellent seismic performance can be achieved by using traditional shear connection, satisfactory seismic performance may also be achieved with proper integration of only CIP beams.
AbstractACI 318-19 and ASCE 7-22 specify code-compliant and emulative seismic force-resisting systems (SFRS) including intermediate precast shear wall systems. For the seismic design of a precast ...shear wall system, its successful performance heavily depends on the capacity design of inevitable discrete connections between precast wall panels, thus playing a critical role in controlling yielding to occur within steel reinforcements at the vicinity of intended locations or components. This is imperative for achieving not only ductility but also adequate energy dissipation, ensuring the system can effectively withstand seismic forces. To this end, the overstrength is essentially required to prevent any brittle failure, and the connections designed not to yield can be protected by addressing the 1.5Sy condition as specified in ACI 318-19 and ASCE 7-22. However, there can be a blind spot for the precast connections designed to yield. To this end, this study showed some cases based on practical examples from which a reasonable magnitude of overstrength (Sy) was tentatively recommended for better safety in the seismic design of the intermediate precast shear wall system with precast connections designed to be yielded.
Sodium‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (Na‐HSCs) have potential for mid‐ to large‐scale energy storage applications because of their high energy/power densities, long cycle life, and the low cost of ...sodium. However, one of the obstacles to developing Na‐HSCs is the imbalance of kinetics from different charge storage mechanisms between the sluggish faradaic anode and the rapid non‐faradaic capacitive cathode. Thus, to develop high‐power Na‐HSC anode materials, this paper presents the facile synthesis of nanocomposites comprising Nb2O5@Carbon core–shell nanoparticles (Nb2O5@C NPs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and an analysis of their electrochemical performance with respect to various weight ratios of Nb2O5@C NPs to rGO (e.g., Nb2O5@C, Nb2O5@C/rGO‐70, ‐50, and ‐30). In a Na half‐cell configuration, the Nb2O5@C/rGO‐50 shows highly reversible capacity of ≈285 mA h g−1 at 0.025 A g−1 in the potential range of 0.01–3.0 V (vs Na/Na+). In addition, the Na‐HSC using the Nb2O5@C/rGO‐50 anode and activated carbon (MSP‐20) cathode delivers high energy/power densities (≈76 W h kg−1 and ≈20 800 W kg−1) with a stable cycle life in the potential range of 1.0–4.3 V. The energy and power densities of the Na‐HSC developed in this study are higher than those of similar Li‐ and Na‐HSCs previously reported.
Nb2O5@Carbon core–shell nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (Nb2O5@C/rGO) for new energy storage systems, namely sodium‐ion hybrid supercapacitors (Na‐HSCs), are presented. A Na‐HSC system comprising an Nb2O5@C/rGO anode and an MSP‐20 cathode delivers high energy and power densities (≈76 W h kg−1 and ≈20 800 W kg−1), with excellent cycling stability.
In this study, we explored the effect of an active afterheater on the growth of gallium oxide single crystals using the EFG method. We analyzed the temperature distribution of the crystal under the ...growing process through multiphysics simulations of the models with and without an active afterheater and investigated the morphology of crystals by applying each model to real experimental growths. The afterheater is a component in the growing furnace that activates radiant heat transfer, and its performance depends on its location, size, material, and shape. The simulation results showed that the afterheater applied in this study was found to be effective in obtaining good temperature distribution in the reactor. Through experimental crystal growth corresponding to the simulation approaches, it was confirmed that an appropriate afterheater reduces thermal stress at the growth front and provides a thermal annealing effect on the post-grown crystals during the growing process to improve crystal quality.
Shrimp is one of the most valuable aquaculture species globally, and the most internationally traded seafood product. Consequently, shrimp aquaculture practices have received increasing attention due ...to their high value and levels of demand, and this has contributed to economic growth in many developing countries. The global production of shrimp reached approximately 6.5 million t in 2019 and the shrimp aquaculture industry has consequently become a large-scale operation. However, the expansion of shrimp aquaculture has also been accompanied by various disease outbreaks, leading to large losses in shrimp production. Among the diseases, there are various viral diseases which can cause serious damage when compared to bacterial and fungi-based illness. In addition, new viral diseases occur rapidly, and existing diseases can evolve into new types. To address this, the review presented here will provide information on the DNA and RNA of shrimp viral diseases that have been designated by the World Organization for Animal Health and identify the latest shrimp disease trends.
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