Impact Dynamics of Droplet Containing Particle Suspensions on Deep Liquid Pool

Droplet impact on surfaces is ubiquitous in many natural and industrial processes. While the impact dynamics of droplets composed of simple fluids have been studied extensively, droplets containing particles are less explored, but are more application relevant. The non-Newtonian behavior of particle suspension introduces new physics affecting the impact dynamics. Here, we investigated the impact dynamics of droplets containing cornstarch particles on a deep water pool and systematically characterized the impact outcomes with various Weber number and particle volume fractions. Distinctive phenomena compared to Newtonian droplet impact have been observed. A regime map of the impact outcomes is unveiled and the transition boundaries are quantified with scaling analysis. Rheology of the suspension is found to play a pivotal role in giving rise to distinct impact outcomes. The results lay the foundation for further characterization of the dynamics of suspension droplet impacting on liquid surfaces and can be translated to other suspension fluids

Insights into the senescent mechanisms of harvested strawberry fruit at the physiological, molecular and metabolic levels

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a worldwide cultivated horticultural crop, however, its short preservative life of the harvested fruit remains a challenge to be addressed. Currently, although much progress has been made toward understanding the senescence of harvested strawberry fruit, the defined mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we performed a series of morphological, physiological and biochemical, as well as transcriptome and proteome analyses using the widely-cultivated strawberry 'Benihoppe' during 0−8 d at room temperature. The results showed not only the shorter storage of harvested strawberry fruit resulted from the rapid perishability, softening, and water loss, but also an increase in soluble sugars within 2 d and a coordination of ABA with JA at the early stage, BR at the middle stage and ethylene at the later stage, respectively. The RNA-seq data highlighted on ABA with NCEDs and PYLs, auxin with IAAs and AUXs, ethylene with ACSs, EIN3 and ERFs, BR with BZRs, and JA with JMTs; while proteome data highlighted on ABA with PYL/SnRK2/ABF, JA with JAR1/JAZ, GA with GID1, BR with BSK, and ethylene with ETR/CTR/EIN2, suggesting an important role of ABA, JA, and ethylene in the senescence of harvested strawberries. Interestingly, higher contents of nerolidalyl caproate and threonine represented characteristic signs of ripening and senescence. Finally, a physiological, molecular and metabolic model for strawberry fruit senescence is proposed, providing comprehensive insights into the preservative mechanisms

Association between Serum Ferritin and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background and Aims. CIN is a major and serious complication following PCI in patients with ACS. It is unclear whether a higher serum ferritin level is associated with an increased risk of CIN in high-risk patients. Thus, we conducted this study to assess the predictive value of SF for the risk of CIN after PCI. Methods. We prospectively examined SF levels in 548 patients with ACS before undergoing PCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors for CIN. The ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of SF for CIN. Results. CIN occurred in 96 patients. Baseline SF was higher in patients who developed CIN compared to those who did not (257.05±93.98 versus 211.67±106.65; P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SF was an independent predictor of CIN (OR, 1.008; 95% CI, 1.003–1.013; P=0.002). The area under ROC curve for SF was 0.629, and SF > 180.9 μg/L predicted CIN with sensitivity of 80.2% and specificity of 41.4%. Conclusion. Our data show that a higher SF level was significantly associated with an increased risk of CIN after PCI

The Protective Effects of Enalapril Maleate and Folic Acid Tablets against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Rats

Background. Renal vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and apoptosis are the major causes of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets on CIN in diabetic rats. Methods. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: CIN (C), CIN + enalapril maleate (CE), CIN + folic acid (CF), and CIN + enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets (CEF). CE, CF, and CEF rats were treated orally with enalapril maleate, folic acid, or enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets, respectively, for 5 days. CIN was induced in all groups followed by analyzed biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, endothelial dysfunction parameters, renal histopathology, and TUNEL staining. Results. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and malondialdehyde levels were lower in the CEF group than in the C group. Homocysteine, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and nitric oxide levels were higher in the CEF group than in the C group. Histopathology scores and percentage of apoptotic kidney cells in the CEF group were significantly decreased compared with those in the C group. Conclusions. These results suggest that enalapril maleate and folic acid tablets have a protective effect against CIN in diabetic rats

Effects of Serum Cytochrome c on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background and Aims. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a relatively infrequent complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, little is known about the association between cytochrome c (cyt c) and increased risk of CIN. We conducted this study to explore the impact of serum cyt c on the occurrence of CIN. Methods. We prospectively examined cyt c levels before undergoing PCI in 240 patients with STEMI. The logistic regression was performed to identify the independent risk factors for the occurrence of CIN. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to evaluate the predictive value of cyt c for the occurrence of CIN. Results. 29 patients (12.1%) had developed CIN after the PCI procedure. The cyt c levels at baseline were significantly higher in patients who developed CIN than those in non-CIN group (0.65±0.08 versus 0.58±0.1; P = 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression showed that cyt c was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of CIN (OR, 7.421; 95% CI, 6.471–20.741; P = 0.034) after adjusting for age, history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, levels of creatinine, uric acid, and glucose. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of cyt c was 0.697 (95% CI, 0.611–0.783; P = 0.001), and cyt c > 0.605 ng/mL predicted CIN with sensitivity of 79.3% and specificity of 56.9%. Conclusion. Our results show that a higher cyt c level was significantly associated with the occurrence of CIN after PCI in STEMI patients. This study has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. The clinical trial registration number is ChiCTR1800019368

In Situ Growth of Core–Sheath Heterostructural SiC Nanowire Arrays on Carbon Fibers and Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Performance

Large-scale core–sheath heterostructural SiC nanowires were facilely grown on the surface of carbon fibers using a one-step chemical vapor infiltration process. The as-synthesized SiC nanowires consist of single crystalline SiC cores with a diameter of ∼30 nm and polycrystalline SiC sheaths with an average thickness of ∼60 nm. The formation mechanisms of core–sheath heterostructural SiC nanowires (SiC_nws) were discussed in detail. The SiC_nws-CF shows strong electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance with a maximum reflection loss value of −45.98 dB at 4.4 GHz. Moreover, being coated with conductive polymer polypyrrole (PPy) by a simple chemical polymerization method, the SiC_nws-CF/PPy nanocomposites exhibited superior EM absorption abilities with maximum RL value of −50.19 dB at 14.2 GHz and the effective bandwidth of 6.2 GHz. The SiC_nws-CF/PPy nanocomposites in this study are very promising as absorber materials with strong electromagnetic wave absorption performance

Carbon Nanofiber Arrays Grown on Three-Dimensional Carbon Fiber Architecture Substrate and Enhanced Interface Performance of Carbon Fiber and Zirconium Carbide Coating

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown around the carbon fiber architecture through a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method to enhance the interface performance between CF architecture substrate and ZrC preceramic matrix. The synthesized 3D CF hierarchical architectures (CNFs-CF) are coated with zirconium carbide (ZrC) ceramic to enhance their antioxidant property and high temperature resistance. The composition and the crystalline phase structure of the composite were detected with the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results of scanning electron microscopy show that, the as-prepared CNFs and consistent ZrC ceramic coating are uniformly covered on the surface of carbon fiber architecture substrate. The ZrC ceramic products with excellent crystallinity were got from the pyrolysis of preceramic polymer at 1600 °C in inert atmosphere. Comparing with the untreated CF, the loading of ZrC ceramics around the CNFs-CF architecture surface are significantly increased. The thermal stability and mechanical property of CNFs-CF/ZrC nanocomposites have been promoted obviously compared with the CF/ZrC ceramic nanocomposite. The prepared CNFs-CF/ZrC ceramic nanocomposite is one of the potential candidate materials for the thermal protection application