Search

In order to understand the reaction kinetics of HMX/AP/Al ternary system, the different distribution of AP in HMX/AP/Al explosives was realized by two different preparation techniques. Detonation test results show that the detonation velocity, explosion heat and detonation pressure of HAP samples are higher than those of HAl samples, but the extent of improvement is not high, not more than 5 %. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that AP in HAP samples was distributed on the surface of HMX crystal. AP were dispersed around HMX crystals in HAl samples. The experimental results of explosive fireball performance show that the fireball expansion speed of HAP samples is better than that of HAl samples, demonstrating a good fireball effect. Underwater test results show that the shock wave peak pressure and bubble pulsation period of HAP samples increase by 3.06 % and 7.95 % respectively, and shock wave energy and bubble energy increase by 9.8 % and 25.42 % compared with bubble energy. The experimental results show that HAP samples are superior to HAl samples in accelerating ability of Al flies. The dispersion of AP on the HMX crystal surface promotes the energy release of HMX/AP/Al explosives more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in intercellular communication, regulating gene expression in target cells, and hold significant promise as cancer biomarkers for early detection and screening. However, achieving precise and viable detection of exosomal miRNAs remains a challenge. This paper proposes an all-in-one detection strategy for breast cancer-derived exosomal miRNA-21 on a pen-based paper chip (PPC). The PPC is constructed using a modified automatic pen and lateral flow assay (LFA), which results in a cost-effective fabrication process. The user only needs to add the sample and trigger the top of the self-contained PPC after a period of time to complete the entire detection process. To enhance the sensitivity of exosomal miRNA testing, an enzyme-free catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA) is further introduced, enabling highly sensitive detection of miRNA-21 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 25 fmol. Additionally, the detection of miRNAs in differentially-expressed cells and clinical samples has also been successfully achieved with high specificity. Overall, the proposed PPC provides an effective tool for detecting early cancer, monitoring diseases, and establishing point of care testing (POCT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technologies are reshaping the landscape of agriculture. In 2021, around 10% of agricultural products in China were distributed through the Internet. As small farmers are traditionally subsumed by commercial capital in the sphere of circulation, this article investigates what difference online marketing has made to this relationship. Using qualitative data collected from a county in China, we examine the experiences of small farmer e‐tailers. We find that agricultural e‐commerce provides them with an alternative marketing channel and a larger customer base, increases the efficiency of product distribution and allows them to retain a greater share of the value they produce. However, while extant literature suggests that agricultural e‐commerce has increased farmers' autonomy and income, we find that small farmers' vertical expansion into e‐commerce by becoming agricultural e‐tailers fails to alleviate their subsumption by commercial capital and subjects them to more oppressive forms of commercial capital in three ways. First, small farmer e‐tailers are controlled by agricultural e‐commerce platforms, as their transactions rely on these platforms that are quasi‐monopolies in China. Second, these e‐tailers are increasingly exploited by platforms and other cybermediaries whom they are forced to pay for Internet traffic. Finally, small farmers are being excluded from being e‐tailers as platforms are becoming e‐tailers and they cannot compete with corporate e‐tailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the drawbacks of oral administration of insulin, a surface-modified insulin-loaded nanocomposite was designed and prepared in this work. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were employed to improve the insulin encapsulation, PEG-CS and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP) were selected to surface modify the insulin-loaded HNTs to adjust the release of insulin. As a result, the insulin-loaded HNTs/PEG-CS/HPMCP NCs had good biocompatibility, relatively high drug loading, and pH-sensitive release properties. Oral administration of the NCs produced an effective and relative long-time hypoglycemic effect. Therefore, these NCs can be a promising delivery system to improve the oral bioavailability of insulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]