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Passive daytime radiative cooling that could provide sub-ambient cooling emerges as a promising technology to reduce household energy consumption. Nonetheless, prevailing studies are predominantly focused on surface cooling, often overlooking its adaptability to enclosed spaces with active cooling technologies. Here we present a multilayer radiative cooling film (J-MRC) with Janus optical properties in the mid-infrared region, consisting of the nanoporous polyethylene films, the polyethylene oxide film, and silver nanowires. The top side of the J-MRC functions as a conventional radiative cooling material to supply sub-ambient surface cooling, while the bottom side with low mid-infrared emissivity transfers limited heat via thermal radiation to the low-temperature enclosures. Our experiments validate that the J-MRC possesses an enhanced space cooling performance in comparison to the conventional radiative cooling film. This work provides a valuable design concept for radiative cooling materials, thereby expanding their practical scenarios and contributing to reduce the carbon emission.

Background: Progressive oxidative stress easily occurs as a result of a gradual increase in the intensity of maternal metabolism due to rapid foetal development and increased intensity of lactation. However, studies on the effects of processive oxidative stress on nutrient transport in the placenta have received little attention. The present study was conducted on sows at 85 days of gestation to study the effects of pterostilbene (PTE) on maternal oxidative stress status and placental nutrient transport. Results: PTE increased the antioxidant capacity and immunoglobulin content in mothers' blood and milk, reduced the level of inflammatory factors, and improved the nutrient content of milk. PTE also reduced sow backfat loss and the number of weak sons, and increased piglet weaning weight and total weaning litter weight. We subsequently found that PTE enhanced placental glucose and fatty acid transport and further affected glycolipid metabolism by increasing the expression of LAL, PYGM, and Gbe-1, which activated the PI3K phosphorylation pathway. Moreover, PTE addition altered the relative abundance of the Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Parabacillus, and Bacteroidetes-like RF16 groups in sow faeces. PTE increased the levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate and isovalerate in the faeces. Conclusions: These findings reveal that the addition of PTE during pregnancy and lactation mitigates the effects of processive oxidative stress on offspring development by altering maternal microbial and placental nutrient transport capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicago truncatula is a key model plant for studying legume plants, particularly alfalfa (Medicago sativa), due to its well-defined genetic background. Plant-specific GASA (Gibberellic Acid Stimulated Arabidopsis) genes play various roles in plant growth and development, abiotic stress, and hormone responses. However, limited information is available on GASA research in Medicago. In this study, 26 MtGASAs were identified and analyzed for its structure, evolution, and expressions. Sequence alignments and phylogeny revealed that 26 MtGASAs containing conserved GASA domains were classified into three clades. The chromosomal locations and gene synteny revealed segmental and tandem repetition evolution. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements indicates that family members likely influence various hormone signaling pathways and stress-related mechanisms. Moreover, the RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that 26 MtGASAs were extensively involved in abiotic stresses and hormone responses. Notably, seven MtGASA genes (MtGASA1, 10, 12, 17, 23, 25 and 26) were all dramatically activated by NaCl and Mannitol treatments, and four MtGASAs (MtGASA7, 10, 23 and 24) were significant activated by GA3, PBZ, ABA, and MeJA treatments. Collectively, this study is the first to identify and describe GASA genes in Medicago on a genome-wide scale. The results establish a basis for functional characterization, showing that these proteins are essential in responding to various abiotic stresses and hormonal signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Defatting can be performed mechanically by cutting the frozen insect larvae and then pressing them to enable the leakage of intracellular fat, or chemically using petroleum ether extraction of the insect meal. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different defatting methods of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFM) on the metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. The results show that both defatting methods of BSFM had no adverse effects on the metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility in young laying hens, but pressed black soldier fly meal (BSFMp) demonstrated better effects on the digestibility of metabolic energy and nutrients in the feed for young laying hens. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different defatting methods of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFM) on the metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. Sixty young laying hens (Hy-Line W-36) aged 63 days were randomly divided into two groups (G1 and G2), each with five replicates of six hens housed in individual cages. Group G1 was fed 25% pressed black soldier fly meal (BSFMp) and 75% basal diet, and Group G2 was fed 25% extracted black soldier fly meal (BSFMe) and a 75% basal diet. Both diets included 5 g/kg chromium oxide as an external marker. A 7-day preliminary trial was followed by a 4-day experimental period. The results indicate that pressing and extracting significantly affected the digestibility of crude fat and total energy in BSFM, with BSFMp showing significantly higher crude fat digestibility than BSFMe. Similarly, total energy digestibility was also significantly higher in BSFMp. However, there were no significant differences in dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility between the two processing methods. The apparent metabolic energy values of BSFMp and BSFMe were 16.34 and 12.41 MJ/kg, respectively, showing a significant difference. The nitrogen-corrected metabolic energy values were 15.89 MJ/kg in BSFMp and 11.93 MJ/kg in BSFMe, indicating a highly significant difference. The digestibility of arginine and leucine in BSFMp was significantly higher than in BSFMe, while differences in lysine, cystine, threonine, tryptophan, and isoleucine were not significant. In conclusion, both defatting methods of BSFM had no adverse effects on the metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility in young laying hens, but BSFMp demonstrated better effects on the digestibility of metabolic energy and nutrients in the feed for young laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the poor aqueous solubility of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), encapsulating it in egg yolk results in a reduction in the hydration properties of egg yolk powder (EYP), subsequently affecting its functional properties. In this study, the effects of vacuum low-temperature spray drying (VLTSD), high-temperature spray drying (HTSD), and freeze-drying (FD) on the hydration properties of DHA-enriched EYP were investigated. Firstly, we optimized the inlet temperature and feed rate for VLTSD (60 °C, 300 mL/h) and HTSD (170 °C, 800 mL/h), while FD was conducted under − 70 °C conditions. The most striking finding of this study was the DHA-enriched EYP prepared by VLTSD exhibited desirable solubility (54.86 g/100 g), water dispersibility (48.63%), and coefficient of stability (24.88%) during rehydration, which was well predicted by low-field NMR. Compared to HTSD and FD, the solubility increased by 16.18% and 45.17%, respectively. Furthermore, at the microscopic level, SEM images and FTIR spectra revealed that VLTSD enhanced the hydration properties by protecting the structural integrity and increasing the hydrogen bonding of the DHA-enriched EYP. The encapsulation efficiency of DHA-enriched EYP prepared by VLTSD, HTSD, and FD were 97.15%, 96.51%, and 81.31%, respectively. According to the quality analysis, VLTSD had the best protection for DHA-enriched EYP in terms of chromaticity, bulk density, storage stability, and sensory evaluation. Therefore, this study confirmed the applicability of VLTSD technology for microencapsulation of bioactive substances such as DHA to enhance the hydration properties of powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For aqueous zinc-ion batteries, comprehensively optimizing the Zn/electrolyte interface microenvironment is an effective strategy to avoid harmful side reactions and Zn dendrites and thus helps to achieve a high-performance Zn anode. Herein, a functional vinylene-linked covalent organic framework with zincophilic fluorinated sites (TM-4F-COF) is well designed and applied as an interface layer, which modifies the chemical microenvironment at the Zn/electrolyte interface to simultaneously manipulate the Zn plating/stripping behaviors and interfacial side reactions. The TM-4F-COF layer can accelerate Zn2+ de-solvation and interfacial Zn2+ transfer due to the abundant zincophilic fluorinated sites, consequently facilitating the formation of a uniform Zn2+ re-distribution layer. Furthermore, an even electric field is realized at the TM-4F-COF/Zn interface due to the conjugated structure of TM-4F-COF, and the preferentially formed Zn(002) results in a horizontally dense Zn deposition to provide dendrite-free features and high reversibility. A TM-4F-COF@Zn symmetrical cell exhibits an ultra-long cyclability of 2935 h at 3 mA cm−2. Our work provides a fundamental strategy to fabricate a stable Zn anode for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing discharge energy in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is vital for various applications. This study establishes a theoretical formula for predicting enhanced discharge in multi‐needle‐plate (MP) DBD, accounting for factors like needle count, rotation speed, and voltage frequency. Experiments validate the formula's accuracy, showing that precisely matched parameters result in enhanced discharge power, heightened streamer luminosity, and curved streamer channels. Lissajous figures in MP DBD exhibit elliptical shapes due to residual discharges during voltage fall. Statistical analysis of current pulses and discharge images confirms that dielectric plate rotation increases discharges and extends their duration during voltage fall. Numerical simulations highlight surface charge movement's role in enhancing the electric field and affecting streamer propagation direction in the air gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshly, consumers gave full awareness about the diet ingredients, namely fats and sugar, and their consequences. Fat replacers “mimetics” are, therefore, recently utilized in many foodstuffs to imitate the technological and sensorial functions of lipids without unhealthy side effects. Meanwhile, the shortage of structural knowledge on the technological aspect, functional properties, applications, challenges, and stability features of fat replacers-based on animal proteins (FR-AP) significantly impedes the advancement of functional and sustainable constituents. This review summarizes the use of protein microparticles, nanofibers, microgels, and oleogels as fat replacers in dairy products and dairy alternatives. We also highlighted the advantages and limitations of FR-AP to be a platform for further industrial applications and valorization. However, although the current evidence is promising, further large-scale studies are still needed instead of the pilot ones. The mechanism through which health benefits and their bioavailability are granted is also rare. Therefore, we have compiled research results from recent studies with future needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Successful reperfusion does not always lead to good neurological outcomes and impaired microcirculation can be one of the underlying causes. Intra-arterial alteplase after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) may improve microcirculation contributing to neurological recovery, but prospective randomised studies are still needed to validate its efficacy and safety. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial alteplase after MT for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) with large-vessel occlusion (LVO)., Methods and Analysis: The Intra-arterial Alteplase for Acute Ischaemic Stroke After Mechanical Thrombectomy (PEARL) study is a multicentre, prospective, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomised controlled trial. We consecutively screen AIS patients with anterior circulation LVO and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale of 6-25, who reach stable expanded Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scores of 2b50-3 on angiography after MT. Eligible participants are 1:1 randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Participants in the experimental group will receive intra-arterial alteplase (0.225 mg/kg and a maximum dose of 20 mg) after MT and standard medical treatment, while those in the control group will receive standard medical treatment alone after the procedure. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with a 90-day modified Rankin scale of 0-1. A total of 324 participants are required to test the superiority hypothesis with 80% power at a two-tailed significance level of 0.05., Ethics and Dissemination: This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (SYSKY-2023-390-02) and will be conducted following the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approvals have been obtained separately for all centres participating in the study. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals., Trial Registration Number: NCT05856851., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

This study employed egg yolk granules (EYG) in combination with chitosan (CS) to evaluate the feasibility of constructing low-fat Pickering emulsion gels and investigated the properties of emulsion gels with different oil volume fractions (0-50 %) to address the stability issue. The results showed that the self-supporting structure of the emulsion gels gradually increased at 0-40 % oil phase, and the oil droplet sizes were all smaller than 10 μm. However, when the oil phase reached 50 %, the emulsion showed water-oil phase separation. The addition of oil modified the state and movement of water molecules in the emulsion system, which in turn affected the water and oil loss rates. Notably, the emulsion gels exhibited similar rheological and textural characteristics to mayonnaise at 30 % oil phase. Furthermore, the emulsion gels demonstrated promising centrifugation and freeze-thaw stability. This study suggests an innovative and efficient approach to low-fat mayonnaise substitution with consistent quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chaotic systems have aroused interest across various scientific disciplines such as physics, biology, chemistry, and meteorology. The deterministic but unpredictable nature of a chaotic system is an ideal feature for random number generation. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are a promising technology that effectively harnesses chaos, offering advantages such as a compact footprint, scalability, and low power consumption. This paper presents a true random number generator (TRNG) based on a double-well MEMS resonator integrated with an actuator and position sensor. The potential energy landscape of the proposed MEMS resonator is actively tunable with a direct current voltage. Experimental demonstrations of tunable bistability and chaotic resonance are reported in this paper. A chaotic time sequence is generated through piezoresistive sensing of the position of the MEMS resonator once it is driven into the chaotic regime. Subsequently, the randomness of the bit sequence, achieved by applying the exclusive or function to a digital chaotic sequence and its delayed differential is confirmed to meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology specifications. Moreover, the throughput and energy efficiency of the proposed MEMS-based TRNG can be adjusted from 50 kb s -1 and 0.44 pJ per bit at a low energy barrier to 167 kb s -1 and 6.74 pJ per bit at a high energy barrier by changing the MEMS device's potential well. The tunability of the proposed double-well MEMS resonator not only offers continuous adjustments in the energy efficiency of TNRG but also unveils vast and diverse research opportunities in analog computing, encryption, and secure communications., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different defatting methods of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) larvae meal (BSFM) on the metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility in laying hens. Sixty young laying hens (Hy-Line W-36) aged 63 days were randomly divided into two groups (G1 and G2), each with five replicates of six hens housed in individual cages. Group G1 was fed 25% pressed black soldier fly meal (BSFMp) and 75% basal diet, and Group G2 was fed 25% extracted black soldier fly meal (BSFMe) and a 75% basal diet. Both diets included 5 g/kg chromium oxide as an external marker. A 7-day preliminary trial was followed by a 4-day experimental period. The results indicate that pressing and extracting significantly affected the digestibility of crude fat and total energy in BSFM, with BSFMp showing significantly higher crude fat digestibility than BSFMe. Similarly, total energy digestibility was also significantly higher in BSFMp. However, there were no significant differences in dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility between the two processing methods. The apparent metabolic energy values of BSFMp and BSFMe were 16.34 and 12.41 MJ/kg, respectively, showing a significant difference. The nitrogen-corrected metabolic energy values were 15.89 MJ/kg in BSFMp and 11.93 MJ/kg in BSFMe, indicating a highly significant difference. The digestibility of arginine and leucine in BSFMp was significantly higher than in BSFMe, while differences in lysine, cystine, threonine, tryptophan, and isoleucine were not significant. In conclusion, both defatting methods of BSFM had no adverse effects on the metabolic energy and nutrient digestibility in young laying hens, but BSFMp demonstrated better effects on the digestibility of metabolic energy and nutrients in the feed for young laying hens.