We have studied polarized image of a Schwarzschild black hole with an equatorial thin accretion disk as photon couples to Weyl tensor. The birefringence of photon originating from the coupling affect ...the black hole shadow, the thin disk pattern and its luminosity distribution. We also analyze the observed polarized intensity in the sky plane. The observed polarized intensity in the bright region is stronger than that in the darker region. The stronger effect of the coupling on the observed polarized vector appears only in the bright region close to black hole. These features in the polarized image could help us to understand black hole shadow, the thin accretion disk and the coupling between photon and Weyl tensor.
Multiple studies have reported different methods in treating gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, the relationship between miR‐335‐5p and GDM still remains unclear. Here, this study explores ...the effect of miR‐335‐5p on insulin resistance and pancreatic islet β‐cell secretion via activation of the TGFβ signaling pathway by downregulating VASH1 expression in GDM mice. The GDM mouse model was established and mainly treated with miR‐335‐5p mimic, miR‐335‐5p inhibitor, si‐VASH1, and miR‐335‐5p inhibitor + si‐VASH1. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted to detect fasting blood glucose (FBG) fasting insulin (FINS). The OGTT was also used to calculate a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). A hyperglycemic clamp was performed to measure the glucose infusion rate (GIR), which estimated β‐cell function. Expressions of miR‐335‐5p, VASH1, TGF‐β1, and c‐Myc in pancreatic islet β‐cells were determined by RT‐qPCR, western blot analysis, and insulin release by ELISA. The miR‐335‐5p mimic and si‐VASH1 groups showed elevated blood glucose levels, glucose area under the curve (GAUC), and HOMA‐IR, but a reduced GIR and positive expression of VASH1. Overexpression of miR‐335‐5p and inhibition of VASH1 contributed to activated TGFβ1 pathway, higher c‐Myc, and lower VASH1 expressions, in addition to downregulated insulin and insulin release levels. These findings provided evidence that miR‐335‐5p enhanced insulin resistance and suppressed pancreatic islet β‐cell secretion by inhibiting VASH1, eventually activating the TGF‐β pathway in GDM mice, which provides more clinical insight on the GDM treatment.
miR‐335‐5p enhanced insulin resistance and suppressed pancreatic islet β‐cell secretion by inhibiting VASH1, eventually activating the TGF‐β pathway in GDM mice, which provides more clinical insight on the GDM treatment.
New vectorlike T-quarks (VLQ-T) have been predicted in many scenarios of new physics beyond the Standard Model, the current mass exclusion limits from LHC experiments will be relaxed by the presence ...of additional decay channels. In this work, we investigate the prospect of discovering the pair production of VLQ-T at the future 3 TeV Compact Linear Collider (CLIC), by focusing on the final signals via the standard decay channel T→Wb where one of the W bosons decays leptonically and the other decays hadronically. By performing a rapid detector simulation of the signal and background events as well as considering the initial state radiation and beamstrahlung effects, the exclusion limit at the 95% confidence level and the 5σ discovery prospects are, respectively, obtained on the integrated luminosity and the branching ratio of T→Wb for three typical VLQ-T masses.
Although arthropods are important viral vectors, the biodiversity of arthropod viruses, as well as the role that arthropods have played in viral origins and evolution, is unclear. Through RNA ...sequencing of 70 arthropod species we discovered 112 novel viruses that appear to be ancestral to much of the documented genetic diversity of negative-sense RNA viruses, a number of which are also present as endogenous genomic copies. With this greatly enriched diversity we revealed that arthropods contain viruses that fall basal to major virus groups, including the vertebrate-specific arenaviruses, filoviruses, hantaviruses, influenza viruses, lyssaviruses, and paramyxoviruses. We similarly documented a remarkable diversity of genome structures in arthropod viruses, including a putative circular form, that sheds new light on the evolution of genome organization. Hence, arthropods are a major reservoir of viral genetic diversity and have likely been central to viral evolution.
In this study, we demonstrated the role of Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized with the whey protein isolate (WPI)/(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) covalent conjugates on ...the storage and GIT passage viability of probiotics powder (Lactobacillus Plantarum). At pH 9 value, the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates by free-radical induction reaction formed hydroxyquinone or hydroxyquinone dimers with better wettability, and digestive enzyme inhibition effect and smaller particle size. Then, the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates were used to stabilize the O/W type Pickering emulsion. The oil fraction (ϕ) addition led to an increase in the droplet size and modulus of Pickering emulsions toward to generate gel-like structure. On the other hand, at a constant ϕ value, the droplet size of these Pickering HIPEs reduced with increasing particle concentration (c) from 0.5% to 5%, indicating that high c can stabilize more oil droplets. Encapsulation of Lactobacillus Plantarum powder with the Pickering HIPEs was successful to enhance the viable cell count after 14 days storage and GIT digestion. The protective effect of Pickering emulsions was improved with the addition of the c and/or ϕ value. Therefore, Pickering HIPEs can be applied as a promising carrier for enhancing the viability of probiotic powder during storage and GIT digestion by reason of the high oil phase fraction and the adsorption of the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates on the droplet interface.
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•At pH 9 value, the WPI-EGCG covalent conjugates formed better wettability.•The conjugates were used to stabilize the O/W type Pickering emulsion.•The ϕ addition of Pickering emulsions led to generate gel-like structure.•Encapsulation of probiotics enhanced the viability after storage and digestion.•Pickering HIPEs can be applied as a promising carrier for probiotic powder.
In this study, we demonstrated the role of W1/O/W2 double emulsion with alginate-Ca-EDTA system on the gastrointestinal digestion viability of Lactobacillus Plantarum strain liquid. The W1/O/W2 ...double emulsion was prepared by WPI-EGCG covalent conjugate nanoparticles with compartmented multiple-emulsion nature. The effects of preparation parameters containing polyglycerol polyricinoleate content, oil fraction, and WPI-EGCG covalent conjugate particle concentration on the formation of W1/O/W2 double emulsions were systematically studied. Then, the rheological properties of alginate-Ca-EDTA system in the external aqueous phase of the W1/O/W2 double emulsions as the pH changes were investigated. The W1/O/W2 double emulsion maintained in the hydrogel state at pH below 4.0 because of Ca2+ coupled with G residues of alginate. In contrast, the W1/O/W2 double emulsion transformed to solution state at neutral pH condition, which caused the dissociation of Ca2+ from the Ca-alginate hydrogel and resulted in Ca-EDTA chelation. A pH-sensitive carrier based on an alginate-Ca-EDTA system in a set-type W1/O/W2 double emulsion model was exploited by regulating the release of Ca2+. Based on the pH-sensitive alginate-Ca-EDTA system and middle oil phase resistance, such a double emulsion supplied a colon-targeted release carrier for the Lactobacillus Plantarum strain liquid encapsulation into inner aqueous phase with the functional protection effect. The results offer a promising strategy for probiotics strain liquid encapsulation of double emulsion delivery systems in oral applications of foods (such as yogurt, fruit juice or cheese) and pharmaceuticals.
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•W1/O/W2 double emulsion was prepared by WPI-EGCG covalent conjugate nanoparticles.•Effect of PGPR, oil fraction, and particle concentration on the emulsion were studied.•Alginate-Ca-EDTA system in W1/O/W2 double emulsion was regulated by release of Ca2+.•W1/O/W2 double emulsion supplies a carrier for the probiotic encapsulation.
The strength of sandstone decreases significantly with higher water content attributing to softening effects. This scenario can pose a severe threat to the stability of reservoirs of pumped storage ...power stations developed from abandoned mines, especially when subjected to the cyclic loading condition caused by the repeated drainage and storage of water (fatigue damage). Based on this, it is essential to focus on the fatigue failure characteristics. In this study, the mineral composition of the used sandstone of Ruineng coal mine in Shanxi Province, China, was first tested to elucidate the rock softening mechanism after absorbing water. Next, a numerical model for replicating the mechanical behavior of water-bearing sandstone was established using two-dimensional particle flow code (PFC2D) with a novel contact model. Then, 16 uniaxial cyclic loading simulations with distinct loading parameters related to reservoir conditions (loading frequency, amplitude level, and maximum stress level) and different water contents were conducted. The numerical results show that all these three loading parameters affect the failure characteristics of sandstone, including irreversible strain, damage evolution, strain behavior, and fatigue life. The influence degree of these three parameters on failure behavior increases in the order of maximum stress level, loading frequency, and amplitude level. However, for the samples with different water contents, their failure characteristics are similar under the same loading conditions. Furthermore, the failure mode is almost unaffected by the loading parameters, while the water content plays a significant role and causing the transformation from the tensile splitting with low water content to the shear failure with higher water content.
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•A novel compound containing active amine groups of polyphosphazene (PBFA) were successfully synthesized.•PBFA showed excellent properties in decreasing the PHRR, THR and TSP.•The ...mechanical performances were not worsened with a high loading of PBFA.
A novel compound containing active amine groups of polyphosphazene (PBFA) was successfully synthesized and applied as a reactive flame-retardant additive in epoxy (EP) resin. It was synthesized from N-aminoethylpiperazine and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene using a simple method, and its structure was well-characterized. The results indicated that introducing PBFA into EP composites significantly improves the resistance to fire and suppresses smoke generation. An EP composite with 9.0 wt% PBFA can pass the vertical burning tests V-0 rating, the peak heat release rate and total heat release of the sample decreased by 46.7% and 29.3%, respectively. Moreover, it decreased the total smoke release by 48.0%. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the presence of PBFA can accelerate EP decomposition at comparatively low temperatures and lead to the formation of a stable char layer, which protects the matrix from fire, therefore improving the amount of char residue at 800 °C. The degree of small molecule degradation characterized by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, which was lower than that of pure EP, demonstrating that PBFA reduces the risk of fire. The glass transition temperature of EP composites increased with the amount of PBFA increasing owing to the presence of active amine groups. Notably, its mechanical properties were not degraded.
In most plants, sucrose, a major storage sugar, is transported into sink organs to support their growth. This key physiological process is dependent on the function of sucrose transporters. Sucrose ...export from source tissues is predominantly controlled through the activity of SUCROSE TRANSPORTER 2 (SUC2), required for the loading of sucrose into the phloem of Arabidopsis plants. However, how SUC2 activity is controlled to support root growth remains unclear. Glucose is perceived via the function of HEXOKINASE 1 (HXK1), the only known nuclear glucose sensor. HXK1 negatively regulates the stability of ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3), a key ethylene/glucose interaction component. Here we show that HXK1 functions upstream of EIN3 in the regulation of root sink growth mediated by glucose signaling. Furthermore, the transcription factor EIN3 directly inhibits SUC2 activity by binding to the SUC2 promoter, regulating glucose signaling linked to root sink growth. We demonstrate that these molecular components form a HXK1-EIN3-SUC2 module integral to the control of root sink growth. Also, we demonstrate that with increasing age, the HXK1-EIN3-SUC2 module promotes sucrose phloem loading in source tissues thereby elevating sucrose levels in sink roots. As a result, glucose signaling mediated-sink root growth is facilitated. Our findings thus establish a direct molecular link between the HXK1-EIN3-SUC2 module, the source-to sink transport of sucrose and root growth.
•Sepsis-associated encephalopathy impairs cognitive functions and inhibits synaptic plasticity.•Caspase-1 inhibitor treatment ameliorates cognitive dysfunction and protects brain ultrastructure in ...septic mice.•Caspase-1 inhibitor treatment mitigated inflammatory cytokines robust and diminished microglia activation in septic mice.
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) manifested clinically in acute and long-term cognitive impairments and associated with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. The potential pathological changes of SAE are complex and remain to be elucidated. Pyroptosis, a novel programmed cell death, is executed by caspase-1-cleaved GSDMD N-terminal (GSDMD-NT) and we investigated it in peripheral blood immunocytes of septic patients previously. Here, a caspase-1 inhibitor VX765 was treated with CLP-induced septic mice. Novel object recognition test indicated that VX765 treatment reversed cognitive dysfunction in septic mice. Elevated plus maze, tail suspension test and open field test revealed that depressive-like behaviors of septic mice were relieved. Inhibited caspase-1 suppressed the expressions of GSDMD and its cleavage form GSDMD-NT, and reduced pyroptosis in brain at day 1 and day 7 after sepsis. Meantime, inhibited caspase-1 mitigated the expressions of IL-1β, MCP-1 and TNF-α in serum and brain, diminished microglia activation in septic mice, and reduced sepsis-induced brain-blood barrier disruption and ultrastructure damages in brain as well. Inhibited caspase-1 protected the synapse plasticity and preserved long-term potential, which may be the possible mechanism of cognitive functions protective effects of septic mice. In conclusion, caspase-1 inhibition exerts brain-protective effects against SAE and cognitive impairments in a mouse model of sepsis.