Self‐Healable and Recyclable Tactile Force Sensors with Post‐Tunable Sensitivity

It is challenging to post‐tune the sensitivity of a tactile force sensor. Herein, a facile method is reported to tailor the sensing properties of conductive polymer composites by utilizing the liquid‐like property of dynamic polymer matrix at low strain rates. The idea is demonstrated using dynamic polymer composites (CB/dPDMS) made via evaporation‐induced gelation of the suspending toluene solution of carbon black (CB) and acid‐catalyzed dynamic polydimethylsiloxane (dPDMS). The dPDMS matrices allow CB to redistribute to change the sensitivity of materials at the liquid‐like state, but exhibit typical solid‐like behavior and thus can be used as strain sensors at normal strain rates. It is shown that the gauge factor of the polymer composites can be easily post‐tuned from 1.4 to 51.5. In addition, the dynamic polymer matrices also endow the composites with interesting self‐healing ability and recyclability. Therefore, it is envisioned that this method can be useful in the design of various novel tactile sensing materials for many applications

Effects of dietary protein on milk yield and colostrum whey protein composition of tibetan sheep in modern intensive-fed pattern

Colostrum protein, an essential source of dietary nutrients, could improve new-born animals" immunity, and play a vital role in mammals" early development. In order to explore the milk yield and colostrum whey protein composition of Tibetan sheep, 120 Tibetan sheep were arbitrarily separated into categories, namely treatment groups (A, B, C) and control group (D). Compositional and functional differences in milk yield and colostrum whey protein composition among different dietary proteins were compared using proteomics methods. The results showed that sheep with 14% protein level diet group (group B) had the least bodyweight loss and higher milk yield during lactation compared to the other groups. Fifty differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were recognized using iTRAQ, these DEPs were analyzed based on cluster, GO, KEGG and PPIs analysis. GO-BP involved were Protein transmembrane transport, Protein regulation metabolic process, Biological regulation, Regulation of biological process, and Response to stimulus. Meantime, DEPs participated in many KEGG pathways, including Fatty acid metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Protein digestion and absorption, Ras signaling pathway and Cell adhesion molecules. The treatment groups showed increase in the abundance of regulation metabolic process (especially protein metabolism and fatty acid metabolism), along with decrease in stress reaction process. Lactoferrin, Alpha-S2-casein, Superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], Alpha-s1-casein, Alpha globin and Lactoperoxidase appeared in the center of the PPi network intersection. Interestingly, 14% protein group (group B) had exhibited the greatest variability between biological relevance in milk composition and function, these results could increase the understanding of different dietary protein on colostrum whey protein composition of Tibetan sheep, which could provide important information and potential directions for the infant milk powder and functional food industries

Feeding a low-protein maternal diet affects qinghai bamei piglet jejunal structure and microbial function response

This experiment investigated the impacts of feeding a maternal low-CP concentration diet having iso-essential amino acids on newborn suckling piglet"s intestinal microbial composition and function. Forty randomly selected purebred Bamei sows were divided into two groups and fed a low dietary CP (12%, LP) or a normal CP (14%, CON) diet, respectively, but formulated to contain similar (iso-) essential amino acid concentrations per current recommendations. At 21 days, 12 piglets were randomly selected from each treatment and euthanized with jejunum content samples collected. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was combined as an integrated approach for evaluating the functional impact of maternal CP concentrations on piglet intestinal microbiome. Even though piglets demonstrated similar 0 to 21 d ADG among treatments, the jejunum relative weight, villus width, crypt depth and muscular thickness were increased (P<0.05), while villus height, and villus height/crypt depth were reduced (P<0.05) for the material LP compared to the maternal fed CON diet. Maternal CP concentrations can modify the intestinal microbial composition of Bamei suckling piglets. The relative abundances of the bacterial species Escherichia-Shigella, Actinobacillus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Veillonella, and Turicibacter were increased (P<0.05) in the maternal LP fed diet compared with the maternal fed CON diet microbiota metabolites. Overall, LP diet contributed to improve piglet intestinal histomorphology, microbial composition and function

Study on interaction between salicylaldehyde l-serine schiff base and human serum albumin by fluorescence spectroscopy

The interaction of salicylaldehyde L-serine Schiff base (L) with human serum albumin (HSA) was examined by fluorescence emission spectra at the excitation wavelength 290 nm. Through fluorescence quenching experiments, it was confirmed that the combination of L with HSA was static quenching process. Thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS, were calculated at different temperatures, showing that van der Waals force or hydrogen bond interaction were mostly responsible for the binding of L to HSA. The experiments results showed that the microenvironment and the conformation of HSA changed during the binding reaction

Study on interaction between salicylaldehyde l-serine schiff base and human serum albumin by fluorescence spectroscopy

The interaction of salicylaldehyde L-serine Schiff base (L) with human serum albumin (HSA) was examined by fluorescence emission spectra at the excitation wavelength 290 nm. Through fluorescence quenching experiments, it was confirmed that the combination of L with HSA was static quenching process. Thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔG, ΔH and ΔS, were calculated at different temperatures, showing that van der Waals force or hydrogen bond interaction were mostly responsible for the binding of L to HSA. The experiments results showed that the microenvironment and the conformation of HSA changed during the binding reaction

Association of BMPR-1B Gene 3 '-UTR Region Polymorphism with Litter Size in Tibetan Sheep

Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor-1B (BMPR-1B) is considered as the primary gene in sheep for follicular development and litter size trait. It has been defined as the most major candidate gene for genetic markers of sheep reproductive performance. In our study, polymorphisms in the BMPR-1B gene 3'-UTR region were investigated in 363 Tibetan sheep (119 Plateau-type Tibetan sheep, 141 Valley-type Tibetan sheep, and 103 Oula-type Tibetan sheep) by DNA sequencing analysis. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, which were G1339A and A1354G. The frequencies of SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (Chi-square test, P>0.05). AA and AG genotypes were found in the A1354G variant of the 3'UTR region, that AA and A were the preponderant genotype and allele, respectively. The chi 2 independence test analyses indicated that the A1354G variant of BMPR-1B gene 3'UTR region polymorphisms was significantly correlated with litter size in all-types Tibetan sheep (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that the BMPR-1B gene 3'-UTR region might be a potential candidate gene for marker-assisted selection (MAS)

Fertilization Practices: Optimization in Greenhouse Vegetable Cultivation with Different Planting Years

Cucumber plant growth and the fate of N in the plant-soil system are influenced by fertilization practices, the strengths of which may vary among soils. Three soils with different years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation (0, 2, and 18 years) were fertilized differently (CK, no N fertilizer applied; CF, chemical NPK fertilizers applied; RCF, reduced chemical NPK fertilizers applied, with N, P, and K reduced by 46.5%, 68.6%, and 54.7%; RCF+CM, 75% of the total N derived from chemical fertilizer and the rest from chicken manure in the case of reduced fertilization) in a pot experiment to study the changes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, N uptake, residue, and losses. The original N in soil was insufficient to maintain leaf growth and chlorophyll synthesis at later growth stages, even in soil with 18 years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation, where the original N content was the highest (total N 1.73 g kg−1). However, the CF treatment with excessive N fertilization inhibited leaf growth at the early growing stage and accelerated leaf senescence later, especially in soil with longer years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation. Therefore, reduced fertilizer application (RCF and RCF+CM) is appropriate to improve cucumber growth and productivity in greenhouse cultivation with different planting years. Although the same amount of N was applied, the RCF+CM treatment performed better than the RCF treatment in terms of increasing plant N uptake (by 30.5%) and soil N pool storage (by 25.0%) while decreasing N losses (by 16.6%) in soil with 0 years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation. In soil with 2 and 18 years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation, the soil itself functions much better in exogenous N retention and supply, with the N storage and losses not significantly different between the RCF and RCF+CM treatments. We conclude that reduced fertilization with the co-application of chicken manure is optimal for plant growth promotion, output-input ratio increase, soil N fertility improvement, and environmental risk mitigation

Self‐Healable and Recyclable Tactile Force Sensors with Post‐Tunable Sensitivity

It is challenging to post‐tune the sensitivity of a tactile force sensor. Herein, a facile method is reported to tailor the sensing properties of conductive polymer composites by utilizing the liquid‐like property of dynamic polymer matrix at low strain rates. The idea is demonstrated using dynamic polymer composites (CB/dPDMS) made via evaporation‐induced gelation of the suspending toluene solution of carbon black (CB) and acid‐catalyzed dynamic polydimethylsiloxane (dPDMS). The dPDMS matrices allow CB to redistribute to change the sensitivity of materials at the liquid‐like state, but exhibit typical solid‐like behavior and thus can be used as strain sensors at normal strain rates. It is shown that the gauge factor of the polymer composites can be easily post‐tuned from 1.4 to 51.5. In addition, the dynamic polymer matrices also endow the composites with interesting self‐healing ability and recyclability. Therefore, it is envisioned that this method can be useful in the design of various novel tactile sensing materials for many applications

Fertilization Practices: Optimization in Greenhouse Vegetable Cultivation with Different Planting Years

Cucumber plant growth and the fate of N in the plant-soil system are influenced by fertilization practices, the strengths of which may vary among soils. Three soils with different years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation (0, 2, and 18 years) were fertilized differently (CK, no N fertilizer applied; CF, chemical NPK fertilizers applied; RCF, reduced chemical NPK fertilizers applied, with N, P, and K reduced by 46.5%, 68.6%, and 54.7%; RCF+CM, 75% of the total N derived from chemical fertilizer and the rest from chicken manure in the case of reduced fertilization) in a pot experiment to study the changes in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, N uptake, residue, and losses. The original N in soil was insufficient to maintain leaf growth and chlorophyll synthesis at later growth stages, even in soil with 18 years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation, where the original N content was the highest (total N 1.73 g kg&minus;1). However, the CF treatment with excessive N fertilization inhibited leaf growth at the early growing stage and accelerated leaf senescence later, especially in soil with longer years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation. Therefore, reduced fertilizer application (RCF and RCF+CM) is appropriate to improve cucumber growth and productivity in greenhouse cultivation with different planting years. Although the same amount of N was applied, the RCF+CM treatment performed better than the RCF treatment in terms of increasing plant N uptake (by 30.5%) and soil N pool storage (by 25.0%) while decreasing N losses (by 16.6%) in soil with 0 years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation. In soil with 2 and 18 years of greenhouse vegetable cultivation, the soil itself functions much better in exogenous N retention and supply, with the N storage and losses not significantly different between the RCF and RCF+CM treatments. We conclude that reduced fertilization with the co-application of chicken manure is optimal for plant growth promotion, output-input ratio increase, soil N fertility improvement, and environmental risk mitigation

Growth-Promoting Effects of Zhenqi Granules on Finishing Pigs

Developing nonantibiotic livestock growth promoters attracts intensive interest in the post-antibiotic era. In this study, we investigated the growth-promoting efficacy of Zhenqi granules (ZQ) in pigs and further explored the possible mechanisms by transcriptomics analysis. Weaned piglets (52 days old with an average body weight of 17.92 kg) were fed with diets supplemented with different doses of ZQ (0 g/kg, 1 g/kg, and 2 g/kg) for 30 days and continued observations for an additional 32 days after removing ZQ from the diets. Compared with the control group, the average daily gain, carcass weight, average back fat thickness, and fat meat percentage of the group supplemented with 1 g/kg of ZQ showed a significant increase, and the feed/gain ratio was lower. The group supplemented with 2 g/kg of ZQ also showed a significant increase in average daily gain and average backfat thickness. A transcriptomics analysis revealed that the supplementation of ZQ at 1 g/kg upregulated the expression of genes related to collagen biosynthesis and lipid biosynthesis in skeletal muscle and liver. This effect was primarily through upregulating the mRNA levels of structural proteins and lipid-related enzymes. This study demonstrates the growth-promoting efficacy of ZQ and provides some insights of the mechanism of growth promotion