Development of κ-carrageenan hydrogels with mechanically stronger structures via a solvent-replacement method

Strong κ-carrageenan (KC) hydrogels were fabricated via solvent replacement with sorbitol, and the effects of KC mass fraction and solvent replacement on the structural characteristics encapsulation capability of the hydrogels were evaluated. Microstructural observation showed that the 3D network structures of hydrogels exhibited a complete and continuous skeleton. FTIR spectra of KC hydrogels revealed the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds after sorbitol replacement. The stability against heating and freeze-thawing of hydrogels was enhanced due to the addition of sorbitol and the rise in KC mass fraction. The hydrogel with 1.5 wt% KC after sorbitol replacement presented the best stability. Frequency sweep tests suggested that storage modulus of the samples were influenced by sorbitol replacement and KC concentration. Swelling tests revealed that the hydrogels after replacement with a higher KC content (1.25, 1.50 wt%) presented higher swelling capacity, and they were more stable in alkaline and acidic solutions. When epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was incorporated within the hydrogels, the hydrogels after sorbitol replacement offered higher protection capability. The information obtained in this study indicated that sorbitol replacement strengthened KC hydrogels, and they could act more appropriately as accountable carriers for bioactives

A spintronic Huxley-Hodgkin-analogue neuron implemented with a single magnetic tunnel junction

Spiking neural networks aim to emulate the brain's properties to achieve similar parallelism and high-processing power. A caveat of these neural networks is the high computational cost to emulate, while current proposals for analogue implementations are energy inefficient and not scalable. We propose a device based on a single magnetic tunnel junction to perform neuron firing for spiking neural networks without the need of any resetting procedure. We leverage two physics, magnetism and thermal effects, to obtain a bio-realistic spiking behavior analogous to the Huxley-Hodgkin model of the neuron. The device is also able to emulate the simpler Leaky-Integrate and Fire model. Numerical simulations using experimental-based parameters demonstrate firing frequency in the MHz to GHz range under constant input at room temperature. The compactness, scalability, low cost, CMOS-compatibility, and power efficiency of magnetic tunnel junctions advocate for their broad use in hardware implementations of spiking neural networks.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

Utjecaj velikih i malih molekula emulgatora na svojstva nanoemulzija β-karotena, pripremljenih homogenizacijom pod visokim pritiskom

Oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion allows the preparation of lipophilic nutrients such as carotenoids in liquid form, which may improve their bioavailability and broaden applications. In the present study, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20, TW-20), decaglycerol monolaurate (DML), octenyl succinate starch (OSS), whey protein isolate (WPI), and finally a blend of TW-20 and WPI (1 % by mass) have been tested for the preparation of β-carotene nanoemulsions. Interfacial tension, droplet size, zeta potential, microstructures observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), stability of the emulsion and β-carotene have been compared. Results show that nanoemulsions stabilized with TW-20 and DML had smaller droplet size, but relatively poorer stability, compared with the ones stabilized with OSS and WPI (p0.05).Nanoemulzije ulja u vodi omogućuju pripremu lipofilnih hranjivih tvari, kao što su karotenoidi u tekućem obliku, čime se povećava njihova biološka pristupačnost i primjena. U radu je istražena mogućnost pripreme nanoemulzija β-karotena pomoću ovih emulgatora: polioksietilen sorbitan monolaurata (Tween 20), dekaglicerol monolaurata, škrob natrijeva oktenil sukcinata, izolata pšeničnih proteina i 1 %-tne smjese Tween 20 i izolata pšeničnih proteina. Uspoređena je međupovršinska napetost dobivenih emulzija, veličina kapljica, zeta- potencijal, mikrostruktura (utvrđena pomoću mikroskopa atomskih sila), te stabilnost emulzija i β-karotena. Rezultati pokazuju da nanoemulzije stabilizirane s Tween 20 i dekaglicerol monolauratom imaju manje kapljice, ali slabiju stabilnost od emulzija stabiliziranih sa škrob natrijevim oktenil sukcinatom i izolatom pšeničnih proteina (p0,05)

The stabilization and release performances of curcumin-loaded liposomes coated by high and low molecular weight chitosan

A comprehensive stability evaluation for curcumin-loaded liposomes (Cur-LP) coated by low (LCS) or high (HCS) molecular weight chitosan with three gradient concentrations (L: low; M: medium; H: high) was the main objective of this study. Apart from leading to a higher encapsulation efficiency (>90%), all chitosan-coated Cur-LP displayed an improved stability with respect to resistant to salt, sunlight, heat, accelerated centrifugation and long-term storage at 4 °C. Increasing the molecular weight and concentration of chitosan could effectively improve the stability of Cur-LP, in which HCS-H coatings displayed the best performance. According to the fluorescence probe analysis, the mechanical reinforcement of liposomes and the concomitant reduction in membrane fluidity accounts for the major contribution to vesicle stability. Secondly, a simulated digestion model was used to prove the applicability of sustained curcumin release, achieved by adjusting the molecular weight and concentration of the chitosan stabilizer for Cur-LP. The results of this study show that high molecular weight chitosan used at relatively high concentrations, is a promising coating material for improving the stability and sustained release of Cur-LP in vitro

Optimization of Big Data Parallel Scheduling Based on Dynamic Clustering Scheduling Algorithm

In today’s data age, the big data processing analysis framework plays an important role in mass information processing, along with the increasing of massive data. “Sharing Data” is proposed to enhance the performance of data processing through structured data scheduling. However, such approach makes the higher communication cost and buffer cost for the extra data copy and buffering. Hence, in the big data analysis environment, this paper uses based on the correlation of data, Dynamic Cluster Scheduling Algorithm(DCSA) is proposed for parallel optimization of big data tasks. Firstly, a dynamic data queue based on the server’s request database is generated. The priority of data item and size of data item are as the considerations of dynamic data queue for data clustering association. And then the weights are introduced, the dynamic data item is made equalization to provide the basis for the multi-channel optimal scheduling. Secondly, according to the relevance of the data items, the mechanism of data optimized placement is used to make the data which are aggregated in the same frame. After the placement is completed, the dynamic data is uniformly scheduled to minimize the cost at the time of migration, with the local characteristics of the data item as constraints. Through the target iteration, the optimal scheduling scheme is adjusted, and finally to achieve multi-channel optimal scheduling. Experiments show that the proposed method enables dynamic data to achieve optimal scheduling

Effects of Small and Large Molecule Emulsifiers on the Characteristics of β-Carotene Nanoemulsions Prepared by High Pressure Homogenization

Oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion allows the preparation of lipophilic nutrients such as carotenoids in liquid form, which may improve their bioavailability and broaden applications. In the present study, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20, TW-20), decaglycerol monolaurate (DML), octenyl succinate starch (OSS), whey protein isolate (WPI), and finally a blend of TW-20 and WPI (1 % by mass) have been tested for the preparation of β-carotene nanoemulsions. Interfacial tension, droplet size, zeta potential, microstructures observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), stability of the emulsion and β-carotene have been compared. Results show that nanoemulsions stabilized with TW-20 and DML had smaller droplet size, but relatively poorer stability, compared with the ones stabilized with OSS and WPI (p0.05)

My ah ma make one

My Ah Ma Make One is a social movement to celebrate Singapore’s unique snacks heritage against the backdrop of the nation’s fiftieth birthday (SG50). Launched by four final year students from Nanyang Technological University, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, the campaign aimed to preserve and promote traditional snacks among youth today. This campaign primarily targeted youth aged between 18 to 35 years old, who would be the heirs of the local traditional snack heritage. Leveraging on narrative persuasion through the sharing of stories and skills, the team sought to also foster intergenerational bonds among grandparents and grandchildren as an auxiliary effort. Through the integrated use of social media and island-wide physical events, the campaign effectively raised the level of knowledge of local traditional snack heritage among youth, and increased their behavioral intents to learn about traditional snacks and bond with grandparents during the process. Beyond the requisites, the team also worked with sponsors and partners to prolong the campaign’s lifespan through a scheduled publication. This report showcases the primary and secondary research conducted, which formed the bedrock of the campaign and gave birth to the creative plans executed. The assorted yet complementary strategies and tactics are discussed and evaluated for their effectiveness, based on the initial impact and output objectives crafted. Besides significant achievements, limitations of the campaign and recommendations to improve its overall impact and sustainability are also covered, in the hope of inspiring successors to continue the conservation efforts of the local traditional snack heritage. Original documents, collateral materials, as well as comprehensive tables and charts are included in the appendices for additional reference.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Highly Strong and Conductive Carbon Fibers Originated from Bioinspired Lignin/Nanocellulose Precursors Obtained by Flow-Assisted Alignment and In Situ Interfacial Complexation

Composite filaments comprised of lignin and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were fabricated by a microfluidic spinning technique together with in situ interfacial complexation. The hierarchical assembly of well-ordered lignin/CNFs cross-linked using chitosan by ionic bonds resulted in the high orientation degree and compact microstructure of the filament, which was a promising precursor of carbon fibers. After stabilization and carbonization, bio-based carbon fibers with fine graphite microcrystals were obtained and carbon lattice was highly oriented along the fiber direction, contributing to the superior macro-performance. When the content of lignin was 75 wt %, the tensile strength and electrical conductivity of the carbon fibers reached 1648 MPa and 185.3 S/cm, respectively, surpassing the most reported values in the literature. Furthermore, a combined TG-FTIR approach was applied to further analyze the carbonization process of lignin/CNF precursors. The excellent mechanical and electrical performance of the bio-based carbon fibers would broaden their applications as a reinforcing agent and an electrical device. The demonstrated spinning technology also offered an avenue for the fabrication of high-performance filaments and carbon fibers