Search

Blanching is a critical step in the processing of Tremella fuciformis (T. fuciformis). The effects of different blanching methods (boiling water blanching (BWB), ultrasonic-low temperature blanching (ULTB), and high-temperature steam (HTS)) on the quality and moisture migration characteristics of T. fuciformis were investigated. The results showed that the T. fuciformis blanched by ULTB (70 °C, 2 min, 40 kHz, 300 W) had the best quality, including a brighter appearance, superior texture, and good sensory features, with a polysaccharide content of 3.90 ± 0.02%. The moisture migration characteristics of T. fuciformis after blanching exhibited four peaks, displayed strong and weak chemically bound water, immobilized water, and free water, whereas ULTB had a weak effect on the freedom of water in T. fuciformis. The study will provide the foundation for the factory processing of T. fuciformis.

Acute gouty arthritis is an acute inflammatory reaction caused by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints and surrounding soft tissues. Controlling inflammation is the key to preventing acute gouty arthritis. Anti-inflammatory activities and the possible molecular mechanisms of plum (Prunus salicina Lindl cv. “furong”) polyphenols (PSLP) on RAW264.7 macrophage cells induced by monosodium urate were investigated. PPSF significantly inhibited the activity of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18). In addition, PPSF exhibited excellent activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in RAW264.7 macrophages. The results of global screening of all transcripts by RNA-seq revealed 8585 differentially expressed genes between the PSLP-treated group and the MUS group. From GO analysis, PSLP could affect the occurrence and development of RAW264.7 macrophage inflammation through biological processes, such as organic substance metabolism, intracellular organelles, and binding function. The regulation mechanism of PSLP on MSU-induced RAW264.7 macrophage inflammation may be achieved through the HIF-1 signaling pathway, renal cell carcinoma, the ErbB signaling pathway, and the FoxO signaling pathway. Therefore, PSLP has great prospects in the prevention of gout and similar inflammatory diseases.

Both a static pile load test and cone penetration test were conducted in a field to investigate the effect of soil plugging on the ultimate bearing capacity of a pile. Both the force equilibrium method and Terzaghi’s method were adopted for the theoretical analysis of the soil plugging effect during the pile setting process. Consequently, a new equation was proposed for the estimation of the height of soil plugging. It is observed that the process of pile settlement can be divided into three stages: (i) the soil plugging is initially formed; (ii) the soil plugging reaches its maximum height; and (iii) force equilibrium is reached with a constant soil plugging height. The proposed method in this paper provides an alternative method for the assessment of the height of soil plugging and its effect on the ultimate bearing capacity of the jacked pile.

Solar energy is considered an essential source of energy because of cleanliness and ubiquity. However, how to effectively absorb solar energy within the range of solar radiation is an urgent problem to be solved. The design of high-performance broadband perfect absorbers is an important way to collect solar energy efficiently. In this paper, we propose a novel broadband solar energy absorber based on zinc sulfide (ZnS). It is a three-layer (Au-ZnS-Au) structure with new types of sectioned disks employed in the top layer. The sectioned disks can enhance the absorption efficiency. Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and electric dipole resonance increase the absorption of light, so the proposed absorber can achieve broadband perfect absorption. Simulation by a finite element analysis (COMSOL) method shows that absorption with a bandwidth of 354 THz from 430 THz–784 THz has been achieved, and the average absorption is 95%. This indicates that the perfect absorption range of the proposed absorber is 78.7% of the visible range. The perfect absorber has four perfect absorption peaks, which can reach a maximum absorption rate of 99.9%. In addition, our absorber is polarization insensitive due to the design of the rotational symmetry structure of the sectioned disks. The absorber is composed of refractory metals so that it can work under actual solar radiation and high-temperature conditions. The proposed solar energy absorber is important for many applications such as solar cells, thermal photovoltaic technology, and sensing.