Pretreatment is widely used before drying of agro-products to inactivate enzymes, enhance drying process and improve quality of dried products. In current work, the influence of various pretreatments ...on drying characteristics and quality attributes of fruits and vegetables is summarized. They include chemical solution (hyperosmotic, alkali, sulfite and acid, etc.) and gas (sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and ozone) treatments, thermal blanching (hot water, steam, super heated steam impingement, ohmic and microwave heating, etc), and non-thermal process (ultrasound, freezing, pulsed electric field, and high hydrostatic pressure, etc). Chemical pretreatments effectively enhance drying kinetics, meanwhile, it causes soluble nutrients losing, trigger food safety issues by chemical residual. Conventional hot water blanching has significant effect on inactivating various undesirable enzymatic reactions, destroying microorganisms, and softening the texture, as well as facilitating drying rate. However, it induces undesirable quality of products, e.g., loss of texture, soluble nutrients, pigment and aroma. Novel blanching treatments, such as high-humidity hot air impingement blanching, microwave and ohmic heat blanching can reduce the nutrition loss and are more efficient. Non-thermal technologies can be a better alternative to thermal blanching to overcome these drawbacks, and more fundamental researches are needed for better design and scale up.
With the fast development of industrial Internet of things (IIoT), a large amount of data is being generated continuously by different sources. Storing all the raw data in the IIoT devices locally is ...unwise considering that the end devices' energy and storage spaces are strictly limited. In addition, the devices are unreliable and vulnerable to many threats because the networks may be deployed in remote and unattended areas. In this paper, we discuss the emerging challenges in the aspects of data processing, secure data storage, efficient data retrieval and dynamic data collection in IIoT. Then, we design a flexible and economical framework to solve the problems above by integrating the fog computing and cloud computing. Based on the time latency requirements, the collected data are processed and stored by the edge server or the cloud server. Specifically, all the raw data are first preprocessed by the edge server and then the time-sensitive data (e.g., control information) are used and stored locally. The non-time-sensitive data (e.g., monitored data) are transmitted to the cloud server to support data retrieval and mining in the future. A series of experiments and simulation are conducted to evaluate the performance of our scheme. The results illustrate that the proposed framework can greatly improve the efficiency and security of data storage and retrieval in IIoT.
Phenanthrene (PHE), as one of representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can cause serious adverse effects on human health, developing effective adsorbents to alleviate PHE contamination ...is in urgent demand. A novel Fe3O4-SiO2-Dimethoxydiphenylsilane (Fe3O4-SiO2-2DMDPS) nanocomposite was fabricated from encapsulation and grafting process. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were served as preliminary matrix material, SiO2 was used to link the magnetic oxide and provide hydroxyl groups for proceeding the silane coupling reaction subsequently, and the aromatic rings in DMDPS could provide active sites for PHE adsorption via π-π interaction. SEM-EDS, TEM, BET, VSM, XRD, FTIR, Raman, Zeta potential, and XPS techniques were used to characterize magnetic nanocomposite. The prepared Fe3O4-SiO2-2DMDPS exhibited an excellent adsorption performance towards PHE, it could maintain 75.97% adsorption capacity after four regeneration cycles. Homogeneous adsorption acted crucial role in the whole adsorption process and film diffusion was the rate-controlling procedure. Theoretical calculations put forward the most favorable bonding modes between Fe3O4-SiO2-2DMDPS and PHE molecules, confirmed the π-π interaction was valid and it usually existed in the form of parallel-displaced. This work might aid us to develop effective modification strategy for Fe3O4 nanoparticles and expand its application in the PAHs removing field.
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•A novel magnetic nanocomposite based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles was fabricated.•Removal of phenanthrene from aqueous solution exhibits excellent adsorption performance.•Theoretical calculations put forward the most favorable bonding modes between magnetic nanocomposite and phenanthrene.•Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and mechanism were discussed.
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Tripterygium wilfordii), also known as Huangteng and gelsemium elegan, is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been marketed in China as Tripterygium wilfordii ...glycoside tablets. Triptolide (TP), an active component in Tripterygium wilfordii extracts, has been used to treat various diseases, including lupus, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and nephritic syndrome. This review summarizes recent developments in the research on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacy and toxicology of TP, with a focus on its novel mechanism of reducing toxicity. This review provides insight for future studies on traditional Chinese medicine, a field that is both historically and currently important.
We included studies published primarily within the last five years that were available in online academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, SciFinder and Web of Science).
TP has a long history of use in China because it displays multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-rheumatism, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and neuroprotective properties. It has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, nephritic syndrome, lupus, Behcet׳s disease and central nervous system diseases. Recently, numerous breakthroughs have been made in our understanding of the pharmacological efficacy of TP. Although TP has been marketed as a traditional Chinese medicine, its multi-organ toxicity prevents it from being widely used in clinical practice.
Triptolide, a biologically active natural product extracted from the root of Tripterygium wilfordii, has shown promising pharmacological effects, particularly as an anti-tumor agent. Currently, in anti-cancer research, more effort should be devoted to investigating effective anti-tumor targets and confirming the anti-tumor spectrum and clinical indications of novel anti-tumor pro-drugs. To apply TP appropriately, with high efficacy and low toxicity, the safety and non-toxic dose range for specific target organs and diseases should be determined, the altered pathways and mechanisms of exposure need to be clarified, and an early warning system for toxicity needs to be established. With further in-depth study of the efficacy and toxicity of TP, we believe that TP will become a promising multi-use drug with improved clinical efficacy and safety in the future.
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Molecular ferroelectrics are attracting tremendous interest because of their easy and environmentally friendly processing, light weight, low acoustical impedance, and mechanical flexibility, which ...are viable alternatives or supplements to conventional ceramic ferroelectrics. However, reports of ceramic-like molecular ferroelectrics that can be applied in the polycrystalline form have been scarce. Here, according to the “quasi-spherical theory”, we successfully synthesized a ceramic-like molecular ferroelectric with an m 3 mFmm2 type phase transition at 357 K, 1,5-diazabicyclo3.2.1octonium tetrafluoroborate (3.2.1-dabcoBF4), which can show excellent ferroelectric performance in the polycrystalline thin-film form at room temperature. On the basis of the reported molecular ferroelectric 2.2.2-dabcoBF4 (2.2.2-dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo2.2.2octonium) with an Aizu notation of 4/mmmFmm2 and two polar axes, we changed the 2.2.2-dabco+ cation to the 3.2.1-dabco+ cation to reduce the molecular symmetry and keep the quasi-spherical shape simultaneously, making the number of polar axes up to six. Moreover, the spontaneous polarization P s gets successfully increased from 4.9 μC cm–2 in 2.2.2-dabcoBF4 to 5.5 μC cm–2 in 3.2.1-dabcoBF4. This precise molecular design strategy offers an efficient pathway to design ceramic-like molecular ferroelectrics.
Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials are regarded as promising cathode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high electrochemical capacity and low cost. However, residual Li compounds on ...the surface and dissolution of metal ions cause severe degradation of the electrochemical performance, thereby hindering their practical applications. Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 is a composite cathode material with three-dimensional Li-ion diffusion channels and a stable structure at high operating voltages (>4.5 V). Herein, we modify the surface of LiLi0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 with Li4V2Mn(PO4)4. The Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 coating layer can not only reduce the content of residual Li compounds on the surface but also restrain the dissolution of transition metals. Theoretical calculations illustrate that Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 reduces the Li-ion diffusion energy barrier and provides efficient diffusion pathways. LiLi0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2@Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 compounds deliver a discharge capacity of 300 mAh g−1 with a high initial coulombic efficiency (84.2%) and an excellent cycling stability (capacity retention of 78.1% after 200 cycles at 1C). Hence, the proposed modification strategy of phosphate-based materials could shed light on the structural design of surface-sensitive electrode materials for LIBs.
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•Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 reduces the Li ions diffusion energy barrier to facilitate Li ions transport.•Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 reduces the content of LiOH and Li2CO3 residues on the surface of LiLi0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2.•Li4V2Mn(PO4)4 layer prevents the cathode material from HF attack and restrains transition metal dissolution during cycling.
•Examined the purposes of thermal blanching.•Summarized the indicators for assessment of blanching process.•Outlined the principles, applications and limitations of thermal blanching ...technologies.•Identified and discussed the future trends of thermal blanching.
Thermal blanching is an essential operation for many fruits and vegetables processing. It not only contributes to the inactivation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), but also affects other quality attributes of products. Herein we review the current status of thermal blanching. Firstly, the purposes of blanching, which include inactivating enzymes, enhancing drying rate and product quality, removing pesticide residues and toxic constituents, expelling air in plant tissues, decreasing microbial load, are examined. Then, the reason to why indicators such as POD and PPO, ascorbic acid, color, and texture are frequently used to evaluate blanching process is summarized. After that, the principles, applications and limitations of current thermal blanching methods, which include conventional hot water blanching, steam blanching, microwave blanching, ohmic blanching, and infrared blanching are outlined. Finally, future trends are identified and discussed.
Chiral amino acids are extensively applied in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and agricultural industries. As a representative example, l‐phosphinothricin (l‐PPT, a chiral non‐natural amino acid) ...is a broad‐spectrum herbicide. An NAD(H)‐driven biocatalytic system for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral amino acids (focused on l‐PPT) with high efficiency and low cost is highly desired. The key for the development of such biocatalytic system is to obtain an NADH‐dependent biocatalyst with high catalytic performance toward l‐PPT pro‐ketone PPO. Herein, an engineered glutamate dehydrogenase from Lysinibacillus composti (LcGluDH) with desired activity was obtained by gene mining and protein engineering. In silico analyses suggested that the volume of substrate‐binding pocket was substantially enlarged from 330.5 Å3 to 409.6 Å3. The stability of LcGluDH was increased (Tm value increased from 47.3 °C to 65.3 °C) by introducing positively charged amino acids or aromatic amino acids at position 375. The desired biocatalytic system was constructed by coupling the engineered LcGluDH and an NAD+‐dependent FDH. Through this biocatalytic system, the batch production of l‐PPT exhibited high space‐time yield (207.3 g ⋅ L−1 ⋅ day−1) with strict stereoselectivity (ee of l‐PPT>99%). Furthermore, eight other chiral amino acids were synthesised by the developed NAD(H)‐driven biocatalytic system with high ee values.
Ni-rich cathodes have been considered as promising cathodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) because their high electrochemical capacities and low costs. However, fast capacity fading caused by ...interfacial instability and bulk structural degradation of Ni-rich cathodes during charge-discharge processes severely hinders their development and application. To address these challenges, we report a one-step dual-modification strategy to in-situ synthesize complex In2O3&LiInO2 co-coating layer on the surface of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, which can cooperate collaboratively to stabilize layered structure and deplete lithium impurity. The dual-modified LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 materials not only show distinguished cycling stability at 1 C with a capacity retention of ca. 90%, but also exhibit a discharge capacity of 177.1 mAh g−1 at a high rate of 5 C with a capacity retention of 86.4% after 300 cycles. Further studies confirm structural degradation and intergranular cracks at the particle level can be effectively mitigated by uniformly adherent bi-functional coating layer even after long-term cycling. The results shed light on the feasibility of dual-modified strategy for improving the performance of Ni-rich cathode materials, which can also be applied to other oxide cathode materials.
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•LiInO2 with similar structure to LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 ensures stable adhesion of dual-modified layer and structural stability of material.•Indium oxide can consume LiOH and Li2CO3 residues on the surface of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2.•Modified LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 shows excellent rate and cycling properties attributing to synergistic effects of dual-modified layer.
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