Search

Objective: To establish a molecular method for the authentication of spices that can be used under different conditions for qualitative or semi-quantitative analyses. Methods: The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed based on SYBR Green I. Specific primers were successfully designed for the detection of star anise, fennel, pepper and prickly ash. Results: This method was able to specifically detect star anise, fennel, pepper and prickly ash with good linearity being found between Ct values and standard volume fraction in the range of 0.001%–10%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1% for star anise standard, and 0.001% for fennel, pepper and prickly ash standards. The developed method was used to detect five actual samples. Star anise, fennel, pepper and prickly ash were not detected in sample 1; Star anise, fennel and pepper were detected in samples 2, 3 and 5; Star anise, fennel, pepper and prickly ash were detected in sample 4. Conclusion: This method has high sensitivity and good repeatability, and can be applied to the detection of real samples.

China is rich in zinc ore resource, but the depletion of easily floatable sulfide zinc deposits has made the development and utilization of difficult-to-float oxidized zinc ores a pressing issue. Due to the high oxidation rate, complex mineral composition and structure, and high fine-mud content of oxidized zinc ore, Rotation faces significant challenge, including high processing costs and low resource utilization efficiency. This paper systematically reviews the research progress on the notation processes and reagents for oxidized zinc ore, analyzing the applicability and limitations of various notation methods, such as sulfide amine notation, sulfide xanthate notation, fatty acid notation chelation notation, and nocculation notation. Additionally, the paper introduces advancements in novel notation technique, such as staged notation, high-entropy activation notation, and dehydration notation, and discusses the mechanism and application status of collector, sulfurizer, activator, depressant, and nocculants developed domestically and internationally in recent years. Future developments in oxidized zinc ore notation technology will focus primarily on two areas: firstly, overcoming the limitations of existing techniques through innovative notation processes to enhance recoveries and processing efficiency, and secondly, deepening research on highly efficient notation reagent, particularly the optimization of selective collector, activator, depressant, and occulant, to further reduce notation costs and improve the development and utilization of oxidized zinc ore resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractComposite porous microcarriers based on demineralized bone extracellular matrix (DBECM) and chitosan (Cs) were prepared using a combined emulsion and freeze-drying method. The effects of digestion by pepsin on the DBECM properties were investigated. The morphologies and porous structure of the DBECM/Cs porous microcarriers were observed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The cytocompatibility of the DBECM/Cs porous microcarriers were studied by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and calcein acetoxymethyl ester/propidium iodide (CAM/PI). DBECM was digested into small pieces with a loose porous sponge structure and the digested DBECM showed an amorphous state. The resultant DBECM/Cs porous microcarriers showed a spherical shape and an interconnective porous structure. The CCK-8 and CAM/PI analyses indicated that the DBECM/Cs porous microcarriers were non-cytotoxic and showed good biocompatibility, providing a more favorable growth environment for cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass waste, which is biodegradable and vastly underutilized, is generated in huge quantities worldwide. Forestry and agricultural biomass wastes are notable for their wide availability, high yield, biodegradability, and recyclability. The accumulation of these wastes not only occupies valuable land but causes serious environmental pollution, which can ultimately harm human health. Therefore, leveraging scientific technology to convert forestry and agricultural bio-waste into bioenergy and other valuable products is crucial. In this paper, common forestry and agricultural bio-waste such as straw, rice husks, livestock manure, tree branches, sawdust, and bioenergy (bioethanol, biogas, biodiesel, biohydrogen) were selected as keywords, with the theme of green and efficient utilization. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the sources of biomass waste, existing recycling technologies, and the potential of forestry and agricultural bio-waste as material additives and for conversion to biomass energy and other derivatives, along with future recycling prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing travel routes in urban transportation networks is essential for enhancing traffic efficiency in major cities. This study focuses on optimizing the combined subway and taxi travel routes from Beijing Union University to Beijing South Railway Station, a critical route for students and staff in Beijing. To address this, we propose three genetic algorithms: the Standard Genetic Algorithm (SGA), the Multipoint Crossover and Elitist Selection Genetic Algorithm (MPEGA), and the Improved Dynamic Crossover and Mutation Rate Genetic Algorithm (IDCMGA). Experimental results indicate that MPEGA reduces the mean travel cost by 15.21%, the variance by 81.72%, and the standard deviation by 57.25% compared to SGA. Additionally, IDCMGA reduces the average by 1.76%, the variance by 63.16%, and the standard deviation by 39.30% compared to MPEGA. The improved IDCMGA algorithm demonstrates significant advantages over the other two algorithms in terms of global optimization capability, convergence speed, and stability, and is more adept at adapting to new traffic conditions to identify the optimal route. Optimizing this route not only reduces commuting time and costs but also alleviates traffic congestion, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the urban transportation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous microcarriers as cell carriers have attracted extensive research interest in tissue engineering. In this work sodium alginate (SA) and sodium alginate/platelet-rich plasma (SA/PRP) porous microcarriers cross-linked by SrCl2 (SA-Sr2+ and SA/PRP-Sr2+) were prepared using an emulsion method combined with a freeze-drying method. The in-vitro degradation behaviors of the SA-Sr2+ and SA/PRP-Sr2+ porous microcarriers in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were investigated. The cell proliferation ability and osteogenic activity of the SA-Sr2+ and SA/PRP-Sr2+ porous microcarriers were investigated by culturing rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). During the degradation process, the degradation behaviors, including changes of the pH of the PBS and the weight loss and morphology, of both the SA-Sr2+ and SA/PRP-Sr2+ porous microcarriers showed a similar change. After 6 wk of degradation, parts of both the SA-Sr2+ and SA/PRP-Sr2+ porous microcarriers collapsed. The SA/PRP-Sr2+ porous microcarriers showed higher cell proliferation ability and osteoinductive ability than the SA-Sr2+ porous microcarriers during a culture time of 14 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]