Search

As a multifunctional flower with both ornamental and nutritional value, the chrysanthemum has been cherished worldwide. To explore the effects on growth, yield, and quality of Chrysanthemum morifolium x 'Yanshan Jinhuang' under different agroforestry intercropping models, the growth status, photosynthesis, antioxidant leaf substances, and nutrient content of chrysanthemum flowers under nine Acer buergerianum - Chrysanthemum morifolium x 'Yanshan Jinhuang' intercropping modes, and three chrysanthemum monoculture modes with different planting densities were investigated. The results revealed that the canopy closure of Acer buergerianum had significant impacts on the growth of chrysanthemum flowers, and the accumulation of nutrients in major petals. The stomatal conductance and superoxide dismutase activities of leaves were the primary factors that affected the accumulation of secondary metabolites in petals. When the canopy closure ranged from 0.2-0.39 and the chrysanthemum planting density was 40 x 40 cm, the flower yield of chrysanthemum reached 10137 kg·ha-1. This was 34.29% - 38.14% higher than under a single planting mode and the nutrient content was also higher. This study showed that moderate shading improved the flower yield and quality of chrysanthemums in eastern China. Thus, we recommend that growing edible chrysanthemums under forests with proper shade can reduce the investments required for cultivation facilities, while obtaining good quality high-yielding chrysanthemum products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: MiRNA has been found to have therapeutic effect on corneal damage. This paper aimed to study the effect of miR-205-3p on corneal damage induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCE cell were exposed to UV light and transfected. Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRTPCR) and Western blot were used to determine miRNA/mRNA and protein expression. CCK-8 assay, Edu incorporation experiment, and flow cytometry were used to separately measure cell activity, proliferation and apoptosis. LC3 puncta were researched by immunofluorescence experiment. TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-1ß levels in cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. MDA, SOD, and GSH-PX levels were measured using detection kits. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was reflected by detecting DCFH-DA density. Luciferase activity assay was performed to verify the regulating relationship between miR-205-3p and TLR4. RESULTS: UV radiation decreased HCE cell viability, proliferation, and increased HCE cell apoptosis and autophagy (all p < 0.01). When exposed UV radiation, the overexpression of miR- 205-3p group elevated HCE cells viability, proliferation and weakened HCE cells apoptosis and autophagy (all p < 0.01). MiR-205-3p inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress in HCE cells induced by UV radiation (p < 0.01). MiR-205-3p directly inhibited TLR4 expression. The upregulation of TLR4 significantly reversed the effects of miR-205-3p on HCE cell phenotypes induced by UV radiation (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MiR-205-3p protected HCE cells from UV damage by inhibiting autophagy via targeting TLR4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The apparent activation energy for densification is a characteristic quantity that elucidates the fundamental diffusion mechanisms during the sintering process. Based on the Arrhenius theory, the activation energy for densification of α-Al2O3 at constant heating-rates sintering has been estimated. Sintering of α-Al2O3 powder has been executed by the way of a push rod type dilatometer. It is shown that the apparent activation energy does not have a single value but depends directly on the relative density. The apparent activation energy corresponding to lower relative density was higher than that corresponding to higher relative density. In addition, the value of the evaluated activation energy is different at the same density level when the Arrhenius plot involves different heating rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The master sintering curve (MSC), in which the sintered density is a unique function of the integral of a temperature function over time, is insensitive to the heating path. Densification of α-Al2O3 with the mean particle size of 2.5μm was continuously recorded during heating at 0.5, 2 and 5°C/min. A MSC was successfully constructed using dilatometry data with the help of a combined-stage sintering model. The validity of the MSC was verified by seveal experimental runs. The microstructural evolution with densification during different heating-rate sintering was explored. The sintered microstructure is a function of the time-temperature sintering conditions, and it is verified that there exists a link between sintered density and microstructure. The MSC can be used to predict and control microstructure evolution during sintering of α-Al2O3 ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Master sintering curves (MSC) were constructed for dry pressed compacts composed of either a submicrocrystalline or a microcrystalline α-Al2O3 powder using constant heating rate dilatometry data containing lower heating rates only. The MSC constructed for two grain size α-Al2O3 were used to evaluate the sintered densities, which agreed well with the density obtained with different heating procedures and determined by Archimedes method. So the applicability of the MSC theory to alumina ceramic sintering under lower heating rates was validated. Apparent activation energies for submicrocrystalline and microcrystalline α-Al2O3 were determined to be 1035 and 1148 kJ mol-1 based on the MSC respectively. The calculated activation energies for densification are higher than the values reported in the literature concerning heating rates >5 K min-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the ultimate objectives for sintering research is to predict densification results under different thermal profiles for a given processing method. This paper studies the construction and validation of the master sintering curve (MSC) for rutile TiO2 for pressureless sintering. The MSC was constructed using dilatometry data at two heating rates and was then validated using isothermal holds at three different temperatures. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation shows that the partially sintered samples have the same density under different heating procedures, which demonstrates that the assumptions of the model are reliable. The concept of the MSC could be used to predict the sintering shrinkage and final density and calculate the activation energy. A value of 105 kJ mol-1 for TiO2 was obtained. The MSC could be applied to predict the sintering profile to prepare ceramics with required density and a minimum of grain growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oocyte vitrification is a practical tool in assisted reproductive technology and fertility preservation. However, vitrification requires high concentration of cryoprotectants (CPAs), which may cause osmotic injury and is toxic to oocytes during the addition and removal process of CPAs., Objective: To minimize osmotic and toxic injuries, a microfluidic device was designed to provide continuous concentration changes of CPAs to oocytes., Methods: Numerical simulations were first used to investigate the effects of geometric parameters of microchannel on water- Me 2 SO mixing performance. A microfluidic device was then fabricated via soft lithography. Distilled water and 30 percent Me 2 SO containing 1mM fluorescence dye FITC were mixed using the microfluidic device to verify the CPA diffusion behavior., Results: The mixing performance in the microfluidic device strongly depends on the channel geometry and the flow rates of the fluids. Linear CPA loading profiles with diverse slopes were obtained by controlling the flow rate and the loading time of CPA and the buffer solution in the microfluidic device., Concusion: The designed microfluidic device can yield linear CPA loading profiles with different slopes.