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Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are linked to regulating vascular/neuro-inflammation and stroke. Using a retrospective design, we investigated whether circulating Lp-PLA2 and SOD in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients were associated with cognitive impairment. Eighty-seven CSVD patients were recruited. Plasma Lp-PLA2 and SOD were determined, and cognitive status was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The severity of white matter hypoerintensities (WMHs) in CSVD patients was rated according to Fazekas scales, and Lp-PLA2/SOD levels and MMSE/MoCA were compared. Multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and SOD and the cognitive impairment. Ordinal logistic regression and generalized linear models (OLRGLMs) were applied to confirm whether Lp-PLA2 and SOD are independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in CVSD. Lp-PLA2 and SOD with mild or severe cognitive impairment were lower than those with normal congnition. Lp-PLA2 and SOD in CSVD patients with severe WMHs were significantly lower than those with mild or moderate WMH lesions. We noted positive linear associations of Lp-PLA and SOD with cognitive impairment in CSVD, independent of LDL-C. OLRGLMs confirmed that Lp-PLA2 and SOD were independent risk factors of cognitive impairment in CSVD. Lp-PLA2 and SOD are independently associated with cognitive impairment and WMH lesion, and may be useful for the rapid evaluation of cognitive impairment in CSVD. Lp-PLA2/SOD are modifiable factors that may be considered as therapeutic targets for preventing cognitive impairment in CSVD.

Methacrylate functional monomers containing polymerisable double bonds and sulphhydryl group were synthesised using (methyl) hydroxyethyl (propyl) acrylate and mercaptopropionic acid as precursors with benzene (toluene, ethyl acetate, ether) as solvent and aqueous agent, p-toluene sulphonic acid as catalyst, hydroquinone as polymerisation inhibitor. The yield of methacrylate functional monomers was more than 90%. The structure and purity of methacrylate functional monomers was characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The precursor material source is of low cost and widely available, and the product did not need to be purified by a special method, which means that it can be directly used for the synthesis of vinyl branched polymer. Therefore, the price of vinyl branched polymer can be greatly reduced and the application range of vinyl branched polymer can be greatly expanded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peeling wheat yields higher-quality flour. During processing in a flaking machine, wheat kernels undergo continuous compression within the machine's chamber. As this compression persists, damage to the kernels intensifies and accumulates, eventually leading to kernel breakage. To study the damage characteristics of wheat kernels during peeling, this study established a continuous damage model based on Hertzian contact theory and continuous damage theory. The model's accuracy was validated through experiments, culminating in the calculation of critical parameters for wheat peeling. This study focused on different wheat varieties (Ningmai 22 and Jichun 1) and kernel sizes (the thicknesses of the small, medium, and large kernels were standardized as follows: Ningmai 22—2.67 ± 0.07 mm, 2.81 ± 0.07 mm, and 2.95 ± 0.07 mm; Jichun 1—2.98 ± 0.11 mm, 3.20 ± 0.11 mm, and 3.42 ± 0.11 mm). Continuous compression tests were conducted using a mass spectrometer, and critical damage parameters were analyzed and calculated by integrating the theoretical model with experimental data. The test results showed that the average maximum crushing force (Fc) for small, medium, and large-sized kernels of Ningmai 22 was 96.71 ± 2.27 N, 110.17 ± 2.68 N, and 128.41 ± 2.85 N, respectively. The average maximum crushing deformation (αc) was 0.65 ± 0.08 mm, 0.68 ± 0.13 mm, and 0.77 ± 0.17 mm, respectively. The average elastic–plastic critical pressure (Fs) was 50.21 N, 60.13 N, and 59.08 N, respectively, and the average critical values of elastic–plastic deformation (αs) were 0.37 mm, 0.38 mm, and 0.39 mm, respectively. For Jichun 1, the average maximum crushing force (Fc) for small-, medium-, and large-sized kernels was 113.34 ± 3.15 N, 125.28 ± 3.64 N, and 136.15 ± 3.29 N, respectively. The average maximum crushing deformation (αc) was 0.75 ± 0.11 mm, 0.83 ± 0.15 mm, and 0.88 ± 0.18 mm, respectively. The average elastic–plastic critical pressure (Fs) was 58.11 N, 64.17 N, and 85.05 N, respectively, and the average critical values of elastic–plastic deformation (αs) were 0.45 mm, 0.47 mm, and 0.52 mm, respectively. The test results indicated that during mechanical compression, if the deformation is less than αs, the continued application of the compression load will not result in kernel crushing. However, if the deformation exceeds αs, continued compression will lead to kernel crushing, with the required number of compressions decreasing as the deformation increases. If the deformation surpasses αc, a single compression load is sufficient to cause kernel crushing. Since smaller wheat kernels are more susceptible to breakage during processing, the peeling pressure (F) within the chamber should be controlled to remain below the average elastic–plastic critical pressure (Fs) of small-sized wheat kernels. Additionally, the kernel deformation (α) induced by the flow rate and loading in the chamber should be kept below the average elastic–plastic critical deformation (αs) of small-sized wheat kernels. This paper provides a theoretical foundation for the structural design and optimization of processing parameters for wheat peeling machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of sulfur has been a global issue. Copolymerization of element sulfur (S8) with other monomers is a promising route to convert it to useful materials but is limited by the comonomers. Here, we report anionic hybrid copolymerization of S8 with acrylate and epoxide at room temperature, where S8 does not copolymerize with epoxide in the absence of acrylate. Yet, the proton transfer from the methyne in acrylate to the oxygen anion enables the ring‐opening of the cyclic comonomer and hence the copolymerization. The cyclic comonomers can be expanded to lactone and cyclic carbonate. Specifically, the copolymer of S8 with bisphenl A diglycidyl ether and diacrylate displays mechanical properties comparable to those of most common plastics, namely, it has ultimate tensile strength as high as 60.8 MPa and Young's modulus up to 680 MPa. It also exhibits high UV resistance and good transparency. Particularly, it has excellent UV‐induced self‐healing, reprocessability and closed‐loop recyclability due to the abundant dynamic S−S bonds and ester groups. This study provides an efficient strategy to turn element sulfur into closed‐loop recyclable polymer with high mechanical and optical performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's population is growing, leading to an increasing demand for freshwater resources for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry. Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) can solve many problems, such as mitigating the power crisis, minimizing water pollution, and improving the purification and desalination of seawater, rivers/lakes, and wastewater. Cellulosic materials are a viable and ecologically sound technique for capturing solar energy that is adaptable to a range of applications. This review paper aims to provide an overview of current advancements in the field of cellulose‐based materials ISSG devices, specifically focusing on their applications in water purification and desalination. This paper examines the cellulose‐based materials ISSG system and evaluates the effectiveness of various cellulosic materials, such as cellulose nanofibers derived from different sources, carbonized wood materials, and two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D cellulosic‐based materials from various sources, as well as advanced cellulosic materials, including bacterial cellulose and cellulose membranes obtained from agricultural and industrial cellulose wastes. The focus is on exploring the potential applications of these materials in ISSG devices for water desalination, purification, and treatment. The function, advantages, and disadvantages of cellulosic materials in the performance of ISSG devices were also deliberated throughout our discussion. In addition, the potential and suggested methods for enhancing the utilization of cellulose‐based materials in the field of ISSG systems for water desalination, purification, and treatment were also emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]