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The article describes the mechanism of oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters and presents the effect of temperature as one of the factors accelerating this process. The consequences of aging for ester-based biofuels are discussed extensively. The article presents the results of aging of FAMEs obtained from frying oil and of FAMEs derived from unrefined rapeseed oil to examine the influence of temperature as a factor accelerating aging. Acid, peroxide and anisidine values were determined for each sample; additionally, IR spectra were measured. Based on the results, it was confirmed that temperature has a significant effect on the degradation of FAMEs. These changes are best represented by the anisidine value and the change in IR spectra. The paper presents the relationship between acid, peroxide and anisidine values. This paper also highlights the beneficial effect of natural antioxidants in the form of β–carotene, which is found in FAMEs derived from unrefined rapeseed oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this study is the examination of polypropylene (PP) microplastics (MPs) as possible carriers of daily use pharmaceutical compounds. The selected compounds can be separated into three groups: (i) antibiotics (Trimethoprim, Metronidazole, Indomethacin, Isoniazid), (ii) anti-inflammatories (Ketoprofen, Diclofenac), and (iii) anti-hypertensive (Valsartan). Two types of PP MPs (virgin and UV-aged) were used in the experimental procedure, and the effect of time and the effect of the initial concentrations of the drugs were examined. The impact of various environmental factors such as pH, salinity, and natural organic matter were also explored. The last two factors were studied using real aqueous matrices such as wastewater and seawater. According to the obtained results, the highest uptake was observed in indomethacin (9.3 mg/g) and diclofenac (7.3 mg/g), owing to their physiochemical properties. Aged particles showed enhanced adsorption ability in accordance with the existing literature, as their adsorption capacity was between 0.5–1.5 times greater than that of the virgin ones. Regarding the desorption of compounds from the virgin and aged PP MPs at three different pH values, diclofenac and indomethacin exhibited the highest desorption capacity, while alkaline conditions favored the desorption ability of PP MPs for most of the target compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-walled Al-Mg-Si alloy profiles with different compositions and aging states were prepared using the heating and extrusion process. The properties and structure of the profiles were then investigated using a metallographic microscope, scanning electron microscope, projection electron microscope, and universal testing machine. The results show that the yield strength and tensile strength of the profile increases with the increase in total Mg + Si content, and ductility is reduced. If the total Mg + Si content is too high or too low, the crush performance of the material would decrease. Compared with the under-aged and near-peak-aged states, the three types of AI-Mg-Si alloy thin-walled profiles at the over-aged state have better effective energy absorption during crushing and higher bending angle; however, the tensile strength of the profile is optimal at the near-peak-aged state. The effects of alloy composition and aging process on material strength and crushing energy absorption are mainly attributed to the grain structure and differences in precipitation. For coarse grain structures, the grain boundary precipitate free zones are wider, which decreases the profile ductility. Simultaneously, an increase in primary strengthening phases in the grains would increase the profile strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oranges contain many natural active chemicals, organic acids, and polysaccharides. Aging processing is commonly used to modify the color, quality, functional components, and stability of fruits. This study assesses the preparation of aging black oranges using various pre-treatments and solid fermentation. Oranges were aged for six weeks in fresh, non-blanching, blanching, and hot air-assisted aging cycle (AA) groups. The oranges' shrinkage ratio, color difference values, and soluble solids content changed significantly (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that aging fermentation treatment accelerated glycolysis and increased the ratio of reducing sugars. The enhanced browning can be associated with the oxidation of ascorbic acid (0.66–0.47 mg/g) and the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) (0.09 mg/g). Furthermore, the presence of free polyphenols led to an increase in the total polyphenol and total flavonoid content. It also had a synergistic effect with 5-HMF in increasing the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging capacity and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (p < 0.05). AA had superior α-glucosidase inhibitory ability increasing from 67.31 to 80.48%. It also reduced the development time by 33%. Therefore, aging technology can enhance the bioactive compounds in oranges and provide a reference for future whole-fruit aging fermentation and health product creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small phospholipid bilayer-bond structures released by diverse cell types into the extracellular environment, maintaining homeostasis of the cell by balancing cellular stress. This article provides a comprehensive overview of extracellular vesicles, their heterogeneity, and diversified roles in cellular processes, emphasizing their importance in the elimination of unwanted molecules. They play a role in regulating oxidative stress, particularly by discarding oxidized toxic molecules. Furthermore, endoplasmic reticulum stress induces the release of EVs, contributing to distinct results, including autophagy or ER stress transmission to following cells. ER stress-induced autophagy is a part of unfolded protein response (UPR) and protects cells from ER stress-related apoptosis. Mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) also play a role in maintaining homeostasis, as they carry damaged mitochondrial components, thereby preventing inflammation. Moreover, EVs partake in regulating aging-related processes, and therefore they can potentially play a crucial role in anti-aging therapies, including the treatment of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or cardiovascular conditions. Overall, the purpose of this article is to provide a better understanding of EVs as significant mediators in both physiological and pathological processes, and to shed light on their potential for therapeutic interventions targeting EV-mediated pathways in various pathological conditions, with an emphasis on age-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, many products are disposable or have a very short lifespan, while at the same time, those products are made from materials that will remain in the environment in the form of waste for hundreds or even thousands of years. It is a serious problem; non-biodegradable polymer wastes are part of environmental pollution and generate microplastics, which accumulate in the organisms of living beings. One of the proposed solutions is biodegradable polymers and their composites. In our work, three types of polylactide-based composites with plant-derived fillers: microcellulose powder, short flax fibers, and wood flour at 2 wt.% were prepared. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based biocomposite properties were characterized in terms of mechanical and surface properties together with microscopic analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), before and after a UV (ultraviolet)-light-aging process to determine the effects of each cellulose-based additive on the UV-induced degradation process. This research shows that the addition of a cellulose additive can improve the properties of the material in terms of the UV-aging process, but the form of the chosen cellulose form plays a crucial role in this case. The testing of physicochemical properties demonstrated that not only can mechanical properties be improved, but also the time of degradation under UV light exposure can be controlled by the proper selection of the reinforcing phase and the parameters of the extrusion and injection molding process. The obtained results turned out to be very interesting, not only in terms of the cost reduction of the biocomposites themselves, as mainly the waste from the wood industry was used as a low-cost filler, but also that the additive delays the aging process occurring during UV light exposure. Even a small, 2 wt.% addition of some of the tested forms of cellulose delayed surface degradation, which is one of the most important factors affecting the biodegradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy forces societies to take actions aimed at giving post-consumer products a "second life". As we know, wood is perfect for this. Moreover, reusing wood helps keep carbon in circulation, thus limiting its emissions into the atmosphere. It turns out that extensive research on determining the durability of wood is very useful and valuable for one more reason. Well, they can be used to create a model to determine the usefulness of wood, which has only apparently lost its utility value during many years of exposure to external factors. The research subject was samples of wood impregnated with protection agents and modified, originating from many years of field tests. The aim of the research was to correlate the results of wood durability determined after a period of exposure in open space with the results of determining the potential usefulness of such wood. On this basis, a model for determining the value of post-consumer wood was created. As a main result of post-consumer wood analysis, the high durabilities against C. puteana with mass loss below 3% were noticed for acetylated, furfurylated, and CCA-treated wood. Moreover, high color stabilities (ΔE < 10) were observed for thermowood and furfurylated wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beef dry-aging consists of a selection of unpackaged prime cuts placed in a controlled environment cold room for several weeks. The goals are to concentrate flavors like nutty and beefy and to improve tenderness. The aim of this study was to verify the microbiological and physicochemical behavior and sensory perception of meat during a sample process example of meat dry-aging. Twelve beef loins were selected for 90 days of dry aging and placed in a cold room with average temperature, relative humidity and forced air 3.2 ± 0.7 °C, 60.7 ± 4.2% and 0.5–2 m/s, respectively. Samples of crust and lean meat were collected on days 1, 14, 21, 35, 60 and 90 of the dry aging process for microbiological, physicochemical (pH, aw, color L*a*b*) and sensory analysis. During drying, no pathogenic bacteria were detected, and the average counts were higher for the crust. The average values for water activity (aw) and pH were 0.98 ± 0.02 and 5.77 ± 0.015, respectively. A slight decrease in aw and an increase in pH were observed over the aging period (p < 0.05). The lower microbial counts on the lean meat and the overall assessment of freshness confirm the importance of good manufacturing and storage practices during dry aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A striking feature of COVID-19 disease is the broad spectrum of risk factors associated with case severity, as well as the diversity of clinical manifestations. While no central agent has been able to explain the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the factors that most robustly correlate with severity are risk factors linked to aging. Low serum levels of Klotho, an anti-aging protein, strongly correlate with the pathogenesis of the same risk factors and manifestations of conditions similar to those expressed in severe COVID-19 cases. The current manuscript presents original research on the effects of the exogenous application of Klotho, an anti-aging protein, in COVID-19 model mice. Klotho supplementation resulted in a statistically significant survival benefit in parametric and non-parametric models. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanistic role Klotho plays in COVID-19 pathogenesis as well as the possible modulation SARS-CoV-2 may have on the biological aging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aging process contributes to the decline in physical capacity that leads to loss of independence in performing life activities. Immobility and instability are the most significant predictors and indicators of physical disability and dependence. As a result, a variety of assistive devices exist to address immobility and instability in older adults, including walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs and handrails. Sit-to-stand (STS) transitions are the most common transitions in daily mobility activities. The ability to perform STS transitions successfully is therefore one of the most important activities to focus attention on. As a result of physical deterioration, older adults will sooner or later be faced with their physical limitations, and in particular, will not be able to provide enough torque at critical body joints to make the STS transition. Aim: This paper suggests employing two-arm assistance using two handles located symmetrically in the body's sagittal plane. During the aging process, people are faced with varying levels of muscle deterioration and body constraints and consequently require different levels of assistance to complete the transition successfully. This paper aims to develop a tool to find the optimum handle location for people based on their body constraints to reduce knee torque (identified as the critical joint in the STS transition). These findings are also used to measure the effects of assistive device handle position on the biomechanics of the two-arm assisted STS transition. Methods: For this purpose, a theoretical tool was developed by integrating human body kinetics with a multi-objective genetic algorithm to find the optimum hand force required at the seat-off point for a set of potential handle locations. The tool was set to achieve the minimum knee torque within the defined body constraints and assumptions. In line with the physics of the STS transition, the "seat-off point", when subjects lose their seat support, was chosen as the most challenging point of the task. This was coupled with the "nose over toes" posture recommended to older adults by occupational therapists. Results and Discussion: The schematic of the developed tool shows that the best handle locations requiring the minimum torques at the body joints are positioned in handle zone 2, where the handles are placed vertically above the knee and below the hip joints and horizontally located ahead of the hip and behind the knee joints. Within this handle zone, both components of the hand forces (vertical downward and horizontal backward) provide assisting torque to all the body joints and consequently reduce the torques required at body joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a new age-specific mortality framework and implement an exemplar (DLGC) that provides an excellent fit to data from various countries and across long time periods while also providing accurate mortality forecasts by projecting parameters with ARIMA models. The model parameters have clear and reasonable interpretations that, after fitting, show stable time trends that react to major world mortality events. These trends are similar for countries with similar life-expectancies and capture mortality improvement, mortality structural change, and mortality compression over time. The parameter time plots can also be used to improve forecasting accuracy by suggesting training data periods and appropriate stochastic assumptions for parameters over time. We also give a quantitative analysis on what factors contribute to increased life expectancy and gender mortality differences during different age periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the largest inland megacities in Northwest (NW) China, Xi'an has been facing serious regional haze frequently, especially during winter. The composition of aerosols in Xi'an is highly complex due to its unique basinal topography and unique meteorological conditions. In this study, we characterized the morphology, size, and composition of individual aerosol particles collected during regional haze events at an urban site in Xi'an using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX). Six types of particles were identified based on their morphology and chemical composition, including organic (41.88%), sulfate (32.36%), soot (8.33%), mineral (7.91%), K-rich (5.13%), and fly ash particles (4.49%). These results demonstrate that the organic particles made a larger contribution to haze formation than the secondary inorganic particles during the sampling period. Size distribution and dominance suggest that organic and sulfate particles exert major control on the variation trends of particle size in haze. The coating thickness of organic-cored particles was about 369 nm and that of sulfate-cored particles was about 322 nm, implying that the organic particles were more aged than the sulfate particles. The results presented in this study provide further insights into understanding haze particle formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, many products are disposable or have a very short lifespan, while at the same time, those products are made from materials that will remain in the environment in the form of waste for hundreds or even thousands of years. It is a serious problem; non-biodegradable polymer wastes are part of environmental pollution and generate microplastics, which accumulate in the organisms of living beings. One of the proposed solutions is biodegradable polymers and their composites. In our work, three types of polylactide-based composites with plant-derived fillers: microcellulose powder, short flax fibers, and wood flour at 2 wt.% were prepared. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based biocomposite properties were characterized in terms of mechanical and surface properties together with microscopic analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), before and after a UV (ultraviolet)-light-aging process to determine the effects of each cellulose-based additive on the UV-induced degradation process. This research shows that the addition of a cellulose additive can improve the properties of the material in terms of the UV-aging process, but the form of the chosen cellulose form plays a crucial role in this case. The testing of physicochemical properties demonstrated that not only can mechanical properties be improved, but also the time of degradation under UV light exposure can be controlled by the proper selection of the reinforcing phase and the parameters of the extrusion and injection molding process. The obtained results turned out to be very interesting, not only in terms of the cost reduction of the biocomposites themselves, as mainly the waste from the wood industry was used as a low-cost filler, but also that the additive delays the aging process occurring during UV light exposure. Even a small, 2 wt.% addition of some of the tested forms of cellulose delayed surface degradation, which is one of the most important factors affecting the biodegradation process.

The evolution of interfacial morphology and shear strengths of the joints soldered with Sn-0.3Ag-0.7Cu (SAC0307) and SAC0307-0.05Pr aged at 150 °C for different times (h; up to 840 h) were investigated. The experiments showed the electronic joint soldered with SAC0307-0.05Pr has a much higher shear strength than that soldered with SAC0307 after each period of the aging process. This contributes to the doping of Pr atoms, "vitamins in alloys", which tend to be adsorbed on the grain surface of interfacial Cu6Sn5 IMCs, inhibiting the growth of IMCs. Theoretical analysis indicates that doping 0.05 wt.% Pr can evidently lower the growth constant of Cu6Sn5 (DCu6), while the growth constant of Cu3Sn (DCu3) decreased slightly. In addition, the electronic joint soldered with SAC0307-0.05Pr still has better ductility than that soldered with SAC0307, even after a 840-h aging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence in mice models of accelerated senescence indicates a rescuing role of ascorbic acid in premature aging. Supplementation of ascorbic acid appeared to halt cell growth, oxidative stress, telomere attrition, disorganization of chromatin, and excessive secretion of inflammatory factors, and extend lifespan. Interestingly, ascorbic acid (AA) was also found to positively modulate inflamm-aging and immunosenescence, two hallmarks of biological aging. Moreover, ascorbic acid has been shown to epigenetically regulate genome integrity and stability, indicating a key role of targeted nutrition in healthy aging. Growing in vivo evidence supports the role of ascorbic acid in ameliorating factors linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, although evidence in humans yielded equivocal results. The neuroprotective role of ascorbic acid not only relies on the general free radical trapping, but also on the suppression of pro-inflammatory genes, mitigating neuroinflammation, on the chelation of iron, copper, and zinc, and on the suppression of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) fibrillogenesis. Epidemiological evidence linking diet, one of the most important modifiable lifestyle factors, and risk of Alzheimer's disease is rapidly increasing. Thus, dietary interventions, as a way to epigenetically modulate the human genome, may play a role in the prevention of AD. The present review is aimed at providing an up to date overview of the main biological mechanisms that are associated with ascorbic acid supplementation/bioavailability in the process of aging and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we will address new fields of research and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been introduced to the dental market as a high-performance and chemically inert biomaterial. This study aimed to compare the wear resistance, abrasiveness, color stability, and displacement resistance of zirconia and PEEK milled crowns. An ideal tooth preparation of a first maxillary molar was done and scanned by an intraoral scanner to make a digital model. Then, the prosthetic crown was digitally designed on the CAD software, and the STL file was milled in zirconia (CaroZiir S, Carol Zircolite Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, India) and PEEK (BioHpp, Bredent GmbH, Senden, Germany) crowns using five-axis CNC milling machines. The wear resistance, color stability, and displacement resistance of the milled monolithic zirconia with unfilled PEEK crowns using a chewing simulator with thermocyclic aging (120,000 cycles) were compared. The antagonist wear, material wear, color stability, and displacement were evaluated and compared among the groups using the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney U-test. Zirconia was shown to be three times more abrasive than PEEK (p value < 0.05). Zirconia had twice the wear resistance of PEEK (p value < 0.05). Zirconia was more color stable than PEEK (p value < 0.05). PEEK had more displacement resistance than zirconia (p value < 0.05). PEEK offers minimal abrasion, better stress modulation through plastic deformation, and good color stability, which make it a promising alternative to zirconia crown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking advantage of crumb rubber from waste tires to modify bitumen is widely for the environmentally friendly and sustainable development of pavement. This study investigated the modification mechanism, rheological, and aging properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)/desulfurized crumb rubber (DCR) composite modified bitumen (SBS/DCRMB). Morphological features and chemical characteristics were assessed by fluorescence intensity measurement and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), respectively, and results demonstrated that the DCR and SBS modifier in SBS/DCRMB had been vulcanized and formed a three-dimensional network structure. Moreover, a comparison of the GPC elution curve showed the residual bitumen hardly changed due to carbon black released from DCR of SBS/DCRMB during the aging process of SBS/DCRMB, and the polymer molecules condensed to larger units. However, the remaining bitumen in SBSMB had changed evidently and the polymer degraded to smaller molecules. Meanwhile the rheological testing results, including multiple stress creep recovery, linear amplitude sweep and bending beam rheometer, declared that the SBS/DCRMB is superior to SBSMB before and after aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel designs with superior mechanical properties have been urgently needed in automotive industries to achieve energy conservation, increase safety, and decrease weight. In this study, the aging process is employed to enhance the yield strength (YS) by tailoring the distribution of V-rich precipitates and to improve ductility by producing high volume fractions of recrystallized ferrite in cold-rolled medium-Mn steel. A reliable method to acquire ultra-high strength (1.0–1.5 GPa), together with ductility (>40%), is proposed via utilizing non-recrystallized austenite and recrystallized ferrite. Similarly to conventional medium-Mn steels, the TRIP effect, along with the mild TWIP effect, is responsible for the main deformation mechanisms during tensile testing. However, the coupled influence of precipitation strengthening, grain refinement strengthening, and dislocation strengthening contributes to an increase in YS. The studied steel, aged at 650 °C for 5 h, demonstrates a YS of 1078 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1438 MPa, and tensile elongation (TE) of 30%. The studied steel aged at 650 °C for 10 h shows a UTS of 1306 MPa and TE of 42%, resulting in the best product in terms of of UTS and TE, at 55 GPa·%. Such a value surpasses that of the previously reported medium-Mn steels containing equal mass fractions of various microalloying elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the precipitation behavior of the ω phase and ω→α transformation in Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe (Ti-55511) alloy was investigated during isothermal aging at 450 °C. The results show that the α precipitates increase with the increasing of aging time, resulting from the β→α and ω→α transformations. The ω→→α transformation involves the formation and evolution of the isothermal ω phase. The formation of the isothermal ω phase occurs after 30 min and ends at 120 min, which is caused by the embryonic ω phase to isothermal ω phase transformation. Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) results indicates that the evolution of the isothermal ω phase goes through the increasing average size and aspect ratio from 24.7 to 47.0 nm and from 2.1 to 2.7 respectively, and the morphology evolution of the ω particle from ellipsoid to spindle-like. Moreover, the isothermal ω phase assists the α phase to nucleate at the ω/β interface, which involves the changes in elemental composition. The α phase is enriched in Al. Compared to the α phase, the element of Mo, V and Cr in the isothermal ω phase is lower. The Fe element is uniformly distributed in the isothermal ω phase and β matrix but lean in the α phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing environmental demands influence the requirements for devices and materials used in the power industry. One example is a power transformer and an electro-insulating liquid used in it. In order to meet these requirements, electro-insulating liquids should be characterized by, inter alia, high biodegradability and good fire properties. One of such liquids is natural ester. However, its oxidation stability is low in comparison to mineral oil and demands improvement, which can be achieved by the addition of an antioxidant. The authors of this work used fullerene nanoparticles for that purpose. Pure natural ester samples were prepared, and samples with two concentrations of fullerene, 250 mg/L and 500 mg/L in natural ester. All these samples were aged in a thermal oxidation process. Thereafter, the aging properties of all the samples were compared to assess the oxidation stability of modified liquids. Moreover, the electrical properties of prepared insulating liquids were investigated to assess if fullerene deteriorates these properties after aging process. Based on the obtained results, it was proved that the aging process slowed down in the case of both fullerene concentrations in ester. The acid number of natural ester modified using fullerene was lower than in the case of pure liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic tensile behavior of the twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel with the vanadium carbide is investigated at different strain rates of 10−4, 10−3, 10−2 and 0.05 s−1. Microstructure characterization, carried out using back scatter electron diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), shows a homogeneous face center cubic structured matrix with uniformly dispersed vanadium carbide. The vanadium carbide is controlled by the aging temperature and time. The best comprehensive mechanical properties are achieved when the tested steel is aged at 550 °C for 5 h. With the increase of strain rate, the tensile strength and work hardening rate decrease, and the tested material shows negative strain rate sensitivity. This would be due to an increase in stacking fault energy caused by temperature rise by adiabatic heating, which must suppress the formation of twinning. On the other hand, the strain rate sensitivity is affected by dynamic strain aging (DSA). With the increase of strain rate, the DSA weakens, which causes negative strain rate sensitivity. The tensile strength and strain rate sensitivity value both increase first and then decrease with the increase of vanadium carbide size. This is because the tensile strength is mainly affected by the vanadium carbide. In addition to the vanadium carbide, the strain rate sensitivity is also affected by the amount of solute atom (V and C) during the dynamic strain aging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu–Cr-based alloys exhibit excellent electrical conductivity and strength, but their poor thermal stability limits their application in industry. In this paper, Cu–0.2Cr (at. %) and Cu–0.2Cr–0.12Ag (at. %) alloys were prepared to study the effect of Ag on the properties, microstructure, and thermal stability of the Cu–Cr alloy. Microstructure and precipitation were observed by an optical microscope (OM) and a transmission–electron microscope (TEM). After cold-drawing by 99.9% and aging at 450 °C for 2 h, the peak hardness and electric conductivity of the Cu–Cr alloy were 120.3 HV and 99.5% IACS, respectively, and those of the Cu–Cr–Ag alloy were 135.8 HV and 98.3% IACS, respectively. The softening temperature of the Cu–Cr alloy was 500~525 °C, and that of the Cu–Cr–Ag alloy was about 550 °C. The creep strains of the Cu–Cr and Cu–Cr–Ag alloys at 40 MPa and 400 ℃ for 50 h were 0.18% and 0.05%, respectively. Ag elements improved the thermal stability of the Cu–Cr alloy. Recovery and recrystallization occurred before the coarsening of precipitates during the softening process. Ag atoms mainly improved the softening resistance of the alloy by delaying recrystallization, and mainly increased creep resistance by preventing the increase in mobile-dislocation density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degenerative diseases, which can develop during aging, are underlined by inflammatory processes. Hypothalamic inflammation triggered by elevation in circulating fatty acid levels is directly coupled to metabolic disorders. The present study aimed to investigate and characterize the hypothalamic inflammation and composition of fatty acids in the hypothalami of aged mice. We verified that inflammation and microglial activation occur in the hypothalami of aged mice by performing quantitative real-time PCR and using immunohistochemistry methods. In addition, we observed increased levels of various saturated fatty acids in the hypothalami of aged mice, whereas no major changes in the levels of circulating fatty acids were detected using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Collectively, our current findings suggest that increases in saturated fatty acid levels are coupled to hypothalamic inflammation and thereby cause perturbations in energy metabolism during the aging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the association between body image perception and (dis)satisfaction and sociodemographic and behavioral factors in the elderly, using multinomial logistic regression. Data were analyzed for 1686 women and 1499 men participating in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Men with less schooling and women with lower per capita income showed higher odds of underestimating their body size. Former smokers of both sexes showed higher odds of overestimating their body size; lower schooling and lower per capita income decreased these odds. Increasing age, lower per capita income, and smoking increased the odds of dissatisfaction due to thinness in men, and married marital status decreased these odds. In women, low per capita income, weekly consumption of vegetables, and smoking increased the odds of such dissatisfaction. Factors that increased the odds of dissatisfaction due to excess weight in both sexes were primary or secondary schooling and former smoking. In women, low per capita income, weak physical activity, weekly consumption of vegetables, and excessive alcohol intake also increased the odds of such dissatisfaction. The results suggest that improved living conditions and the adoption of healthy behaviors can help reduce misperceived negative body image among elderly.

The microstructure evolution and properties of a Cu-Cr-Ag alloy during continuous extrusion and an aging process were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Owing to strong shear deformation that happened during continuous extrusion with working temperatures of 450 to 480 °C, a larger number of fine grains were obtained. Both face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) precipitates simultaneously existed in the matrix when aged for 450 °C for 2 h, and the Cr phases with BCC structure had an N-W relationship with the matrix. After continuous extrusion, 60% cold deformation, 875 °C × 1 h solid solution treatment, 60% cold deformation, 450 °C × 2 h aging treatment, and 70% cold deformation, the Cu-Cr-Ag alloy acquired excellent comprehensive properties: tensile strength of 494.4 MPa, yield strength of 487.6 MPa, and electrical conductivity of 91.4% IACS.

Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (ZAV) is one of the well-known fermented condiments in China, which is produced by solid-state fermentation. It can be classified into traditional Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (TZAV) and industrial Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (IZAV) because of different production methods. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the variations and differences on chemical compositions and antioxidant activities of TZAV and IZAV during the aging process. The proximate composition, organic acids content, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and phenolic compounds composition of TZAV and IZAV were detected during the aging process. Organic acids contents, TPC, TFC, TAA and phenolic compounds contents in ZAV were increased during the aging process. Acetic acid, lactic acid and pyroglutamic acid in ZAV were major organic acids. With the extension of aging time, TZAV and IZAV had similar proximate compositions and organic acids content. The values of TPC, TFC and TAA were higher in TZAV than in IZAV when aging is more than 3 years. Rutin and p-coumaric acid were detected in TZAV but not in IZAV. In principal component analysis (PCA), TZAV and IZAV can be divided into two groups according to their phenolic compounds composition. These findings provide references for evaluating TZAV and IZAV on the basis of their characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]