Fabrication and properties of flame retardant composites made of abandoned peanut hull, polypropylene and thermoplastic polyurethanes

U radu se razmatra mogućnost recikliranja poljoprivrednog otpada i smanjenje zagađenje okoliša izradom polimernim kompozitima za zaštitu od gorenja od nezbrinutih ljusaka kikirikija kao materijala za pojačavanje, nezbrinutog polipropilena (PP) i nezbrinutih termoplastičnih poliuretana (TPU) kao matričnih materijala i magnezijevog hidroksida kao sredstva za zaštitu od gorenja. Ispitana su mehanička svojstva kao i svojstva zaštite kompozita od gorenja te su analizirana ortogonalnim eksperimentom i eksperimentima faktorske analize. Uključeni su i optimirani sljedeći uvjeti prerade: maseni udio ljuske kikirikija 40 %, omjer PP i TPU 3:1, temperatura vrućeg prešanja 170 °C, pritisak vrućeg prešanja 12 MPa, vrijeme vrućeg prešanja 10 min, vrijeme plastificiranja 5 min. Pri navedenim uvjetima dobivena su sljedeća svojstva kompozita: gustoća 1,12 g/cm3, prekidna čvrstoća 23,85 MPa, čvrstoća na savijanje 46,29 MPa i apsorpcija energije udara 10,19 kJ/m2. Osim toga, dodatkom magnezijevog hidroksida od 100 % (u odnosu na matricu) u optimiranim uvjetima prerade dobivena su sljedeća mehanička svojstva i svojstva zaštite od gorenja kompozita: granični indeks kisika 29,7, gustoća 1,27 g/cm3, prekidna čvrstoća 10,37 MPa, čvrstoća na savijanje 29,42 MPa i apsorpcija energije udara 3,85 kJ/m2.Fabrication and properties of flame retardant composites made of abandoned peanut hull, polypropylene and thermoplastic polyurethanes Lihua Lv*1,2, Xinyue Wang*1,2, Yongling Yu*1,2, and Jing Cui*2 In order to make possible recycling agriculture waste and decrease the environment pollution caused by high polymer, flame retardant composites made of abandoned peanut hull as reinforced materials, abandoned PP (polypropylene) and abandoned TPU (thermoplastic polyurethanes) as matrix materials and magnesium hydroxide as flame retardant reagent were discussed in this article. And the mechanical properties and flame retardant properties of composites were tested and analyzed by orthogonal experiment and single factor analysis experiments. And the optimized processing conditions were concluded as follows: mass fraction of peanut hull 40 %, ratio of PP and TPU 3:1, hot pressing temperature 170 ℃, hot pressing pressure12 MPa, hot pressing time10 min, and plasticizing time 5 min. Under above conditions, properties of composites were as follow: density 1.12 g/cm3, tensile strength 23.85 MPa, bending strength 46.29 Mpa and impact energy absorption 10.19 kJ/m2. Besides, with magnesium hydroxide whose dosage was 100 % (compared to the matrix) being added under the optimized processing conditions, the mechanical properties and flame retardant properties of composites were as follow: LOI 29.7, density 1.27 g/cm3, tensile strength 10.37 MPa, bending strength 29.42 MPa and impact energy absorption 3.85 kJ/m2

Real-time visualization of clustering and intracellular transport of gold nanoparticles by correlative imaging.

Mechanistic understanding of the endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles is essential for designing smart theranostic carriers. Physico-chemical properties, including size, clustering and surface chemistry of nanoparticles regulate their cellular uptake and transport. Significantly, even single nanoparticles could cluster intracellularly, yet their clustering state and subsequent trafficking are not well understood. Here, we used DNA-decorated gold (fPlas-gold) nanoparticles as a dually emissive fluorescent and plasmonic probe to examine their clustering states and intracellular transport. Evidence from correlative fluorescence and plasmonic imaging shows that endocytosis of fPlas-gold follows multiple pathways. In the early stages of endocytosis, fPlas-gold nanoparticles appear mostly as single particles and they cluster during the vesicular transport and maturation. The speed of encapsulated fPlas-gold transport was critically dependent on the size of clusters but not on the types of organelle such as endosomes and lysosomes. Our results provide key strategies for engineering theranostic nanocarriers for efficient health management

Physiological and Proteomic Analysis of Different Molecular Mechanisms of Sugar Beet Response to Acidic and Alkaline pH Environment

Soil pH is a major constraint to crop plant growth and production. Limited data are available on sugar beet growth status under different pH conditions. In this study, we analyzed the growth status and phenotype of sugar beet under pH 5, pH 7.5, and pH 9.5. It was found that the growth of sugar beet was best at pH 9.5 and worst at pH 5. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in leaves and roots increased as pH decreased from 9.5 to 5. Moreover, compared with pH 9.5, the levels of soluble sugar and proline in leaves increased significantly at pH 5. To explore the mechanisms of sugar beet response to different soil pH environments, we hypothesized that proteins play an important role in plant response to acidic and alkaline pH environment. Thus, the proteome changes in sugar beet modulated by pH treatment were accessed by TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis. A total of three groups of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (pH 5 vs. pH 7.5, pH 9.5 vs. pH7.5 and pH 5 vs. pH 9.5) were identified in the leaves and roots of sugar beet. Several key proteins related to the difference of sugar beet response to acid (pH 5) and alkaline (pH 9.5) and involved in response to acid stress were detected and discussed. Moreover, based on proteomics results, QRT-PCR analysis confirmed that expression levels of three N transporters (NTR1, NRT2.1, and NRT2.5) in roots were relatively high under alkaline conditions (pH 9.5) compared with pH 5 or pH 7.5. The total nitrogen content of pH 9.5 in sugar beet was significantly higher than that of pH 7.5 and pH 5. These studies increase our understanding of the molecular mechanism of sugar beet response to different pH environments

A novel household fill material fabricated from waste peanut shells and polyurethane with flame retardant and antibacterial functions

Velike količine ljuski kikirikija odbacivale su se svake godine u Kini i spaljivale ili odlagale na odlagališta otpada, čime se nije samo zagađivao okoliš, već su to bila i neiskorištena prirodna bogatstva. Zato je izrađen materijal za ispunu s funkcijama protiv gorenja i antibakterijskim svojstvima od nezbrinutih ljuski kikirikija i nezbrinutog termoplastičnog poliuretana primjenom plastifikacije, miješanja i vrućeg prešanja. Glavni faktori koji utječu na učinak sredstva protiv gorenja i regresijski model graničnog indeksa kisika dobiveni su analizom odzivne površine. Regresijski model pomogao je u predviđanju sposobnosti sredstva protiv gorenja i postizanju optimalnog uvjeta pripreme koji su sljedeći: maseni udio ljuski kikirikija 49,5%, maseni udio amonijevog fosfata 4,4 %, maseni udio sredstva protiv gorenja od termoplastičnog poliuretana (TPU) 14,2 %, i u tim uvjetima granični indeks kisika materijala bio je 32,78 %. Nakon dodatka 3 % viskera tetraigličastih ZnO u istim uvjetima, granični indeks kisika bio je 32,7 %, a antimikrobni stupanj Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli i Salmonelle iznosio je 96,03, 96,98 odn. 92,33 %.Large amounts of peanut shells were abandoned each year in China and the abandoned peanut shells were subjected to incineration or landfill, which not only polluted environment, but also wasted resources. So, a household fill material with flame retardant and antibacterial functions was fabricated with abandoned peanut shell and discarded thermoplastic polyurethane by plasticizing, blending and hot pressing. The main factors that affect the flame retardant performance and the regression model of limiting oxygen index were obtained by response surface analysis. The regression model helped to predict materials flame retardant ability and achieve the optimal preparation condition, which as follows: the peanut shell mass fraction 49.5 %, ammonium polyphosphate mass fraction 4.4%, Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) flame retardants mass fraction 14.2 %, under these conditions, the limiting oxygen index of materials was 32.78 %. While after added 3wt% Tetra-needle like ZnO whiskers at the same condition, the limiting oxygen index was 32.7 %, and the antimicrobial ratio of staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli and salmonella reached 96.03, 96.98 and 92.33 % respectively

Life recycle models of abandoned textiles

Modeli recikliranja nekih nezbrinutih prirodnih vlakana (pamuka, lana i svile) i sintetičkog polipropilenskog vlakna opisani su na temelju njihovog životnog ciklusa koji obuhvaća proizvodnju - potrošnju - prikupljanje i klasifikaciju - recikliranje - vraćanje na tržište nezbrinutih tekstilija. Nezbrinute tekstilije su podijeljene u "neupotrijebljene" i "rabljene" nezbrinute tekstilije. Modeli recikliranja su opisani u radu i oni su vodič za razumno i učinkovito recikliranje nezbrinutih tekstilija. Modeli mogu poboljšati ekonomske koristi cijele tekstilne industrije i biti učinkovit pristup smanjenju zagađenja okoliša. Osim toga, modeli ispunjavaju zahtjeve novog trgovinskog protekcionizma i smanjuju ograničenja resursa.Life recycle models of some abandoned natural fibers and synthetic fibers including cotton，flax，silk and PP were designed in this paper on the basis of the process of their producing, which was the production →consumption →collection and classification →recycling →returning to market of the abandoned textiles. These abandoned textiles were divided into "unused" and "consumed" abandoned textiles. The life recycle models were designed in this paper, which offer the academic guidance to reasonable and effective recycling of abandoned textiles. The models are good to improve the economic benefits of the whole textile industry and effective approaches to reduce environment pollution. Furthermore, the models meet the demand of new trade protectionism and remit the resource restraint

Regulation and Regulatory Role of WNT Signaling in Potentiating FSH Action during Bovine Dominant Follicle Selection

Follicular development occurs in wave like patterns in monotocous species such as cattle and humans and is regulated by a complex interaction of gonadotropins with local intrafollicular regulatory molecules. To further elucidate potential mechanisms controlling dominant follicle selection, granulosa cell RNA harvested from F1 (largest) and F2 (second largest) follicles isolated at predeviation (PD) and onset of diameter deviation (OD) stages of the first follicular wave was subjected to preliminary RNA transcriptome analysis. Expression of numerous WNT system components was observed. Hence experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that WNT signaling modulates FSH action on granulosa cells during follicular waves. Abundance of mRNA for WNT pathway members was evaluated in granulosa cells harvested from follicles at emergence (EM), PD, OD and early dominance (ED) stages of the first follicular wave. In F1 follicles, abundance of CTNNB1 and DVL1 mRNAs was higher and AXIN2 mRNA was lower at ED versus EM stages and DVL1 and FZD6 mRNAs were higher and AXIN2mRNA was lower in F1 versus F2 follicle at the ED stage. Bovine granulosa cells were treated in vitro with increasing doses of the WNT inhibitor IWR-1+/− maximal stimulatory dose of FSH. IWR-1 treatment blocked the FSH-induced increase in granulosa cell numbers and reduced the FSH-induced increase in estradiol. Granulosa cells were also cultured in the presence or absence of FSH +/− IWR-1 and hormonal regulation of mRNA for WNT pathway members and known FSH targets determined. FSH treatment increased CYP19A1, CCND2, CTNNB1, AXIN2and FZD6 mRNAs and the stimulatory effect on CYP19A1 mRNA was reduced by IWR-1. In contrast, FSH reduced CARTPT mRNA and IWR-1 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of FSH. Results support temporal and hormonal regulation and a potential role for WNT signaling in potentiating FSH action during dominant follicle selection

Fabrication and mechanical performance of 3D woven basalt fiber composite materials

Three kinds differently structural 3D woven fabrics with the basalt fiber filaments tows as warp and weft yarn were fabricated on common loom by reasonable design. And, three kinds differently structural 3D woven basalt fiber composite materials were obtained with vinyl ester resin as matrix materials and 3D woven fabrics as reinforced materials, by VARTM molding process (vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process). Then, the tensile and bending properties of three kinds differently structural 3D woven basalt fiber composite materials were tested through the universal testing machine. Results were shown that the 3D woven basalt fiber composite materials had excellent mechanical properties, but the different structures of 3D woven fabrics as reinforced materials shown a big difference on mechanical properties. As follows, the modulus of elasticity for tensile and modulus of elasticity for bending of the 3D orthogonal structure basalt fiber composite materials were the greatest, and that of the 3D throughout angle interlocking structure basalt fiber composite materials was the smallest. Meanwhile, the tensile elongation at break of the 3D throughout angle interlocking structure basalt fiber composite materials were the largest and that of the 3D layered angle interlocking structure basalt fiber composite materials was the smallest

Perioperative Outcomes of Using Different Temperature Management Strategies on Pediatric Patients Undergoing Aortic Arch Surgery: A Single-Center, 8-Year Study

Background: With the widespread application of regional low-flow perfusion (RLFP), development of surgical techniques, and shortened circulatory arrest time, deep hypothermia is indispensable for organ protection. Clinicians have begun to increase the temperature to reduce hypothermia-related adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of elevated temperatures during aortic arch surgery with lower body circulatory arrest (LBCA) combined with RLFP.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 207 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent aortic arch repair with LBCA & RLFP between January 2010 and July 2017 and evaluated different hypothermia management strategies. The overall cohort was divided into three groups: deep hypothermia (DH, 20.0–25.0°C), moderate hypothermia (MoH, 25.1–30.0°C) and mild hypothermia (MH, 30.1–34.0°C).Results: The percentage of AKI-1 occurrences was significantly increased in the MH group (51.52%) compared to those in the DH (25.40%) and MoH (37.84%) groups (P = 0.036); prolonged hospital stay occurrences were decreased with elevated temperature (DH 47.62%, MoH 28.83%, MH 18.18%, P = 0.006). Neurological complications, peritoneal dialysis, hepatic dysfunction, 30-day hospital mortality, delay extubation occurrences were no significant among the groups. Logistic analysis showed that the MH group was negatively associated with post-op AKI-1 compared with the DH group [OR = 0.329 (0.137–0.788), P = 0.013], no differences were found between the MoH and the MH group. Compared to other groups, the intubation time (P = 0.006) and postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.009) were significantly decreased in the MH group. Multivariate logistic analysis showed hypothermia levels were not significant with prolonged hospital stay.Conclusions: This retrospective analysis demonstrated that for pediatric patients undergoing surgeries with RLFP & LBCA, three different gradient temperature management strategies are available: deep, moderate, and mild hypothermia. Utilizing mild or moderate hypothermia is safe and feasible. Although the number of AKI-1 occurrences in the MH group was significantly increased compared to those in the other groups, further analysis showed no significance in the MoH and MH group, mild hypothermia management is as safe as others when used appropriately

Effects of treatment with Astragalus Membranaceus on function of rat leydig cells

Background Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a Chinese traditional herb which has been reported to have broad positive effects on many diseases, including hepatitis, heart disease, diabetes and skin disease. AM can promote cell proliferation, increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and inhibit apoptosis by regulating the transcription of proto-oncogenes controlling cell death. While AM is included in some commercially available “testosterone boosting supplements”, studies directly testing ability of AM to modulate testosterone production are lacking. In the present study, we examined the effects of AM on Leydig cell function in vitro. Methods Rat Leydig cells were purified and treated with AM at different concentrations (0 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, 20 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL and 150 μg/mL) and cell counting-8 (CCK-8) assay, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real time PCR and analysis of activities of SOD and GPx were done respectively. Results Treatment with 100 μg/mL (P \u3c 0.05) and 150 μg/mL AM (P \u3c 0.01) significantly increased Leydig cell numbers. Treatment with AM (20 μg/mL, 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL) significantly increased testosterone production (P \u3c 0.01). In addition, increased Leydig cell SOD and GPx activities were observed in response to 20 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL AM treatment (P \u3c 0.01). Furthermore, expression of Bax mRNA was significantly decreased (P \u3c 0.01), and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax mRNA was significantly increased in response to 20 μg/mL AM in the culture medium (P \u3c 0.05). Conclusions Results supported a beneficial effect of AM on multiple aspects of rat Leydig cell function in vitro including testosterone production