Control water waves by metagratings

Metasurfaces and metagratings offers new platforms for electromagnetic wave control with significant responses. However, metasurfaces based on abrupt phase change and resonant structures suffer from the drawback of high loss and face challenges when applied in water waves. Therefore, the application of metasurfaces in water wave control is not ideal due to the limitations associated with high loss and other challenges. We have discovered that non-resonant metagratings exhibit promising effects in water wave control. Leveraging the similarity between bridges and metagratings, we have successfully developed a water wave metagrating model inspired by the Luoyang Bridge in ancient China. We conducted theoretical calculations and simulations on the metagrating and derived the equivalent anisotropic model of the metagrating. This model provides evidence that the metagrating has the capability to control water waves and achieve unidirectional surface water wave. The accuracy of our theory is strongly supported by the clear observation of the unidirectional propagation phenomenon during simulation and experiments conducted using a reduced version of the metagrating. It is the first time that the unidirectional propagation of water waves has been seen in water wave metagrating experiment. Above all, we realize the water wave metagrating experiment for the first time. By combining complex gratings with real bridges, we explore the physics embedded in the ancient building-Luoyang Bridge, which are of great significance for the water wave metagrating design, as well as the development and preservation of ancient bridges.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figure

Construction and Mechanism of Action of Gelatin/Sodium Hexametaphosphate/Glutamine Aminotransferase Based Composite Hydrogel System

In this study, a composite hydrogel system was constructed by cross-linking of primary network hydrogels of gelatin (GE) and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) by transglutaminase (TGase) after addition of Lactobacillus plantarum in order to improve its viability and bioavailability. The experimental results showed that the modification by SHMP and TGase changed the gel strength, water distribution state, and gel network structure of gelatin, and reduced the gelation rate, so that the three-dimensional network structure of the gel was more stable, and the intermolecular forces of the composite hydrogel was stronger, contributing to the resistance of the encapsulated L. plantarum to adverse environments. The presence of L. plantarum was found to slightly disrupt the ordered structure of the hydrogel by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Endogenous fluorescence spectroscopy analysis showed that addition of L. plantarum resulted in the exposure of the extended region containing tryptophan within the GE molecule to a more polar environment. The steric effect occurred during the gelling process, delaying the formation of covalent crosslinks and physical interactions between the biopolymer molecules, which led to changes in their microstructure. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion tests and storage tests showed that L. plantarum encapsulated in GE/SHMP/TGase gels had better survival rates and gastrointestinal release properties compared to single GE-based hydrogels. It was confirmed that GE/SHMP/TGase hydrogels had a better protective effect on L. plantarum. In conclusion, this study has explored a new method for preparing GE-based hydrogels as a delivery system for probiotics, which will provide a theoretical basis for the development of probiotic functional foods

Design and Verification of On-Line Monitoring & Controlling System of Tensioner

Tensioner for deep water pipe-laying vessel is a type of engineering equipment that is applied in sub-sea pipeline laying. Based on the designed tensioner body for S-lay vessel, with the capacity of 200t and can meet the requirements of 3000m water-depth pipe-laying, the corresponding monitoring and controlling system need to be designed. Firstly, the programs of on-line monitoring and controlling system are proposed, and then the software and hardware of the system are designed. In addition, the man-machine interaction interface of the system is developed. This research could provide the guidance for the design of the on-line monitoring and controlling system of 200t tensioner. The test is carried out to verify the functions of the designed on-line monitoring& controlling system. The test results show that the designed system is reliable and also have good maneuverability

Physicochemical, Pasting Properties and In Vitro Starch Digestion of Chinese Yam Flours as Affected by Microwave Freeze-Drying

Microwave freeze-drying (MFD) is a new freeze-drying technique, which differs from single microwave treatment; it involves simultaneous effects of microwave power, time, and the moisture state applied to the materials. In this study, the effects of MFD under various microwave power densities (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 W/g) on the drying characteristics of Chinese yam slices and the physicochemical, pasting, and thermal properties as well as the starch digestibility of the flour were investigated using conventional hot air drying (HAD) at 50 °C as a control. Compared to HAD, MFD shortened the drying time up to 14.29~35.71%, with a higher drying efficiency at a high microwave power density (1.5 W/g). MFD yam flours provided benefits over HAD products in terms of color, water/oil absorption capacity, and solubility, exhibiting high hot-paste viscosity but low resistant starch content. The content of total starch and free glucose of the yam flour and its iodine blue value were significantly influenced by the drying method and the MFD process parameters (p < 0.05). MFD processing could disrupt the short-range ordered structure of yam starch. Among the MFD flours, samples dried by MFD at 1.5 W/g presented the highest ratio of peak intensity at 1047 and 1022 cm−1 (R1047/1022) value, gelatinization enthalpy, and resistant starch content. These results gave a theoretical foundation for the novel freeze-drying method that MFD applied to foods with a high starch content, enabling the production of a product with the desired quality

Effect of bio-organic fertilizer derived from agricultural waste resources on soil properties and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in semi-humid drought-prone regions

Water stress, improper fertilization practices, and agricultural waste pollution severely reduce soil fertility and limit agricultural sustainability on the Loess Plateau. Organic fertilizer application is an efficient method for improving soil water and nutrient availability and grain yield in semi-arid and arid areas. However, the impact of bio-organic fertilizer derived from agricultural waste on soil characteristics and wheat yield and the optimum bio-organic fertilizer substitution rate in semi-humid drought-prone areas remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted to explore the effect of combined bio-organic and chemical fertilizer application on soil moisture, hydraulic properties, soil structure, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), grain yield, and water productivity (WP). Six different treatments were designed: no fertilization (CK), conventional chemical fertilization (CF), and bio-organic fertilizer treatments substituting 25% (OF25%), 50% (OF50%), 75% (OF75%), and 100% (OF100%) of the chemical N fertilizer. From the seedling to over wintering stage, the OF75% and OF100% treatments generally improved soil water storage (SWS) and soil water content (SWC) within the 0–100 cm soil layer compared to the CK and CF treatments across both growing seasons. Bio-organic fertilizer substitution significantly reduced soil bulk density by 4.0–5.6% and enhanced soil porosity by 4.2–5.9% in the 0–40 cm soil layer. Moreover, bio-organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and water content, improved aggregate size distribution, and enhanced SOC and TN contents in both years. The OF75% treatment produced the highest aboveground biomass, yield components, grain yields, and WP, attributed to the improved soil physical environment and nutrient contents. Notably, the OF75% treatment increased the average wheat yield and WP by 21.1% and 24.9%, respectively, relative to the CF treatment across both growing seasons. The measured soil properties strongly correlated with wheat yield, yield components, and WP. Thus, the OF75% treatment is an appropriate and promising fertilization management strategy to alleviate water stress, improve soil properties, and promote crop production in semi-humid drought-prone regions

Cookies Fortified with <i>Lonicera japonica</i> Thunb. Extracts: Impact on Phenolic Acid Content, Antioxidant Activity and Physical Properties

Lonicera japonica Thunb [...

KRAS ARMS results

KRAS ARMS result

Sanger sequencing

Sanger sequencing for Assay sensitivit