Development of a scanning algorithm

The purpose of our research was the process of trying to develop an algorithm that scanned for quantity of a type of object uploaded to a website. The potential algorithm itself was thought of as an instrumental part of a website that incentivizes recycling. It is hoped that through the use of the algorithm, when a user uploads a photo of the quantity of recycled material the website will automatically be able to verify quantity and type of said recycled material

Real Risks In A Virtualized World: How Virtualization Is Changing The Way We Manage, Assess, and Mitigate Risk

A dramatic shift has stated to take place in the last decade that is having a pronounced impact on how organizations view information security. Large datacenters and small sensor rooms alike are being impacted by the development and growth of virtualization and the many benefits it provides. This essay will examine how hardware virtualization has changed the landscape of datacenter risk management and how organizations must adapt their security posture to those changes. As mainstream hypenisors like VMware ESXi, Citrix XenServer, and Microsoft Hyper-V become more affordable and easier to implement, their use in providing low-cost, high-utilization solutions is steadily becoming an industry standard, even for smaller shops. Organizations must understand how to assess, manage, and mitigate new types of risk unique to virtualization. By examining the technology behind virtualization, the risks associated with it, and the methods organizations can mitigate and minimize those risks, we will see that virtualization, when implemented properly, can provide a secure, highly beneficial technology on which datacenters can be built

Rapid Construction and Application of a Vector for Tobacco Ringspot Virus-Induced <i>McPDS</i> Silencing in Bitter Gourd

The aim of this study is to facilitate the construction of virus-induced gene silencing vectors and to provide a reference or positive control for gene silencing in bitter gourd. A recombinant TRSV (tobacco ringspot virus) containing two components, pTRSV1 and pTRSV2, was used in this study. The fragment of the McPDS target was cloned into pTRSV2 via combined enzymic ligation during digestion. The TRSV components were agro-infiltrated into tobacco leaves to grow virus particles, which were then extracted and mechanically inoculated into the bitter gourd plants. The effect of TRSV-McPDS-mediated McPDS gene silencing was evaluated by observing the photo-bleaching phenotype, detecting the TRSV virus, and quantifying the downregulation of MCPDS gene expression and chlorophyll contents. The results showed that all bitter gourd plants infected with the empty TRSV or TRSV-McPDS virus grew and developed normally, with no visible signs of viral disease. However, after seven days of inoculation, only the bitter gourd plants that were inoculated with TRSV-McPDS showed obvious photobleaching in the leaves, stems, and buds. The TRSV-specific fragments were tested out in the systemically infected leaves of bitter gourd. The transcription level of the McPDS gene in the leaves dropped by 84.7%. The chlorophyll content also dropped significantly. These data suggest that the rapidly constructed VIGS vector TRSV-McPDS successfully induced McPDS silencing in bitter gourd. Taken together, the results of this study provide a practical method for vector construction in various VIGS applications, as well as a reference and a positive control for TRSV-induced gene silencing in bitter gourd

Cadmium Isotope Fractionations Induced by Foliar and Root Uptake for Rice Exposed to Atmospheric Particles: Implications for Environmental Source Tracing

Rice roots and leaves were exposed to cadmium (Cd)-contaminated particles in a greenhouse to modify the fractionation during Cd uptake and transport in the plants by using the Bayesian mixing model. The exposure to atmospheric Cd in rice near a copper smelter was determined under the field conditions. The results showed that the leaves directly absorb and accumulate atmospheric Cd in other aboveground tissues by 84–99%. Positive values of Δ114/110CdLeaf–Particle (0.08–0.11‰), Δ114/110CdNode–Leaf (0.77–0.81‰), and Δ114/110CdGrain–Leaf (0.39–0.43‰) following foliar exposure as well as Δ114/110CdRoot–Particle (0.19–0.22‰) and Δ114/110CdGrain–Root (−0.29 to 0.34‰) following root exposure suggested that particles released heavy isotopes. The roots and leaves preferentially retained light isotopes and transported heavy isotopes upward. The Cd isotope fractionations in the plant were constant under both root and foliar exposures at two dosages. The results were used to correct the parameters in the isotope mixing models and to trace the source of atmospheric Cd in rice tissues in the field. Both models of isotope mixing and mass balance suggested 50–63% Cd deposition on the grains. This study provides a theoretical basis for tracing the source of Cd isotopes in plants

Shape-Dependent Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO₂ to CO on Triangular Silver Nanoplates

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ (CO₂RR) provides great potential for intermittent renewable energy storage. This study demonstrates a predominant shape-dependent electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CO on triangular silver nanoplates (Tri-Ag-NPs) in 0.1 M KHCO₃. Compared with similarly sized Ag nanoparticles (SS-Ag-NPs) and bulk Ag, Tri-Ag-NPs exhibited an enhanced current density and significantly improved Faradaic efficiency (96.8%) and energy efficiency (61.7%), together with a considerable durability (7 days). Additionally, CO starts to be observed at an ultralow overpotential of 96 mV, further confirming the superiority of Tri-Ag-NPs as a catalyst for CO₂RR toward CO formation. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity and selectivity at lowered overpotential originate from the shape-controlled structure. This not only provides the optimum edge-to-corner ratio but also dominates at the facet of Ag(100) where it requires lower energy to initiate the rate-determining step. This study demonstrates a promising approach to tune electrocatalytic activity and selectivity of metal catalysts for CO₂RR by creating optimal facet and edge site through shape-control synthesis

Spexin ameliorated obesity-related metabolic disorders through promoting white adipose browning mediated by JAK2-STAT3 pathway

Abstract Background Spexin, a 14 amino acid peptide, has been reported to regulate obesity and its associated complications. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of spexin on obesity and explore the detailed molecular mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce obesity, and mice fed a standard fat diet were used as controls. Then, these mice were treated with SPX or Vehicle by intraperitoneal injection for an additional 12 weeks, respectively. The metabolic profile, fat-browning specific markers and mitochondrial contents were detected. In vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Results After 12 weeks of treatment, SPX significantly decreased body weight, serum lipid levels, and improved insulin sensitivity in HFD-induced obese mice. Moreover, SPX was found to promote oxygen consumption in HFD mice, and it increased mitochondrial content as well as the expression of brown-specific markers in white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD mice. These results were consistent with the increase in mitochondrial content and the expression of brown-specific markers in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. Of note, the spexin-mediated beneficial pro-browning actions were abolished by the JAK2/STAT3 pathway antagonists in mature 3T3-L1 cells. Conclusions These data indicate that spexin ameliorates obesity-induced metabolic disorders by improving WAT browning via activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Therefore, SPX may serve as a new therapeutic candidate for treating obesity