Role of bitter contributors and bitter taste receptors:a comprehensive review of their sources,functions and future development

Bitterness,one of the 5“basic tastes”,is usually undesired by humans.However,abundant literature reported that bitter fruits and vegetables have beneficial health effects due to their bitter contributors.This review provided an updated overview of the main bitter contributors of typical bitter fruits and vegetables and their health benefits.The main bitter contributors,including phenolics,terpenoids,alkaloids,amino acids,nucleosides and purines,were summarized.The bioactivities and wide range of beneficial effects of them on anti-cancers,anti-inflammations,anti-microbes,neuroprotection,inhibiting chronic and acute injury in organs,as well as regulating behavior performance and metabolism were reported.Furthermore,not only did the bitter taste receptors(taste receptor type 2 family,T2Rs)show taste effects,but extra-oral T2Rs could also be activated by binding with bitter components,regulating physiological activities via modulating hormone secretion,immunity,metabolism,and cell proliferation.This review provided a new perspective on exploring and explaining the nutrition of bitter foods,revealing the relationship between the functions of bitter contributors from food and T2Rs.Future trends may focus on revealing the possibility of T2Rs being targets for the treatment of diseases,exploring the mechanism of T2Rs mediating the bioactivities,and making bitter foods more acceptable without getting rid of bitter contributors.

Preparation and characterization of pH-responsive metal-polyphenol structure coated nanoparticles

In this paper,tannic acid(TA)and Fe~(3+)were added to form a layer of metal-polyphenol network structure on the surface of the nanoparticles which were fabricated by zein and carbon quantum dots(CQDs)encapsulating phlorotannins(PTN).pH-Responsive nanoparticles were prepared successfully(zein-PTN-CQDs-Fe-~Ⅲ).Further,the formation of composite nanoparticles was confirmed by a series of characterization methods.The zeta-potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data proved that electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding are dominant forces to form nanoparticles.The encapsulation efficiency(EE)revealed that metal-polyphenol network structure could improve the EE of PTN.Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry experiment indicated the thermal stability of zein-PTN-CQDs-Fe~Ⅲnanoparticles increased because of metal-polyphenol network structure.The pH-responsive nanoparticles greatly increased the release rate of active substances and achieved targeted release.

Low-loss chip-scale programmable silicon photonic processor

Chip-scale programmable optical signal processors are often used to flexibly manipulate the optical signals for satisfying the demands in various applications,such as lidar,radar,and artificial intelligence.Silicon photonics has unique advantages of ultra-high integration density as well as CMOS compatibility,and thus makes it possible to develop large-scale programmable optical signal processors.The challenge is the high silicon waveguides propagation losses and the high calibration complexity for all tuning elements due to the random phase errors.In this paper,we propose and demonstrate a programmable silicon photonic processor for the first time by introducing low-loss multimode photonic waveguide spirals and low-random-phase-error Mach-Zehnder switches.The present chip-scale programmable silicon photonic processor comprises a 1×4 variable power splitter based on cascaded Mach-Zehnder couplers(MZCs),four Ge/Si photodetectors,four channels of thermally-tunable optical delaylines.Each channel consists of a continuously-tuning phase shifter based on a waveguide spiral with a micro-heater and a digitally-tuning delayline realized with cascaded waveguide-spiral delaylines and MZSs for 5.68 ps time-delay step.Particularly,these waveguide spirals used here are designed to be as wide as 2μm,enabling an ultralow propagation loss of 0.28 dB/cm.Meanwhile,these MZCs and MZSs are designed with 2-μm-wide arm waveguides,and thus the random phase errors in the MZC/MZS arms are negligible,in which case the calibration for these MZSs/MZCs becomes easy and furthermore the power consumption for compensating the phase errors can be reduced greatly.Finally,this programmable silicon photonic processor is demonstrated successfully to verify a number of distinctively different functionalities,including tunable time-delay,microwave photonic beamforming,arbitrary optical signal filtering,and arbitrary waveform generation.

Prediction of Load-Displacement Curve of Flexible Pipe Carcass Under Radial Compression Based on Residual Neural Network

The carcass layer of flexible pipe comprises a large-angle spiral structure with a complex interlocked stainless steel cross-section profile, which is mainly used to resist radial load. With the complex structure of the carcass layer, an equivalent simplified model is used to study the mechanical properties of the carcass layer. However, the current equivalent carcass model only considers the elastic deformation, and this simplification leads to huge errors in the calculation results. In this study, radial compression experiments were carried out to make the carcasses to undergo plastic deformation. Subsequently, a residual neural network based on the experimental data was established to predict the load-displacement curves of carcasses with different inner diameter in plastic states under radial compression.The established neural network model’s high precision was verified by experimental data, and the influence of the number of input variables on the accuracy of the neural network was discussed. The conclusion shows that the residual neural network model established based on the experimental data of the small-diameter carcass layer can predict the load-displacement curve of the large-diameter carcass layer in the plastic stage. With the decrease of input data, the prediction accuracy of residual network model in plasticity stage will decrease.

Scale-up and thermal stability analysis of fluidized bed reactors for ethylene polymerization

A set of hydrodynamic similarity laws is applied to the scale-up of ethylene polymerization fluidized bed reactors(FBRs)under the condensed mode operation.The thermal stability of open-loop controlled FBRs is investigated by the homotopy continuation method.And the Hopf bifurcation point is selected as an index of the thermal stability similarity.The simulation results show the similarity in state variables,operation parameters,the space-time yield(STY),and the thermal stability of FBRs with different scales.Furthermore,the thermal stability behaviors and similarity of the closed-loop controlled FBRs with different scales are analyzed.The observed similar trend of Hopf bifurcation curves reveals the similarity in the thermal stability of closed-loop controlled FBRs with different scaling ratios.In general,the results of the thermal stability similarity confirm that the hydrodynamics scaling laws proposed in the work are applicable to the scale-up of FBRs under the condensed mode operation.

A review on protein based nanocarriers for polyphenols:interaction and stabilization mechanisms

Protein has been used as the carrier for protecting and targeting polyphenols and increasing their shelf-life.Interactions of a protein molecule with polyphenols are important,which change functions and physiochemical properties of the complex and provide protection to polyphenols.Interactions between proteins and polyphenols are largely non-covalent.Factors that affect such interactions include pH,temperature,and the structure of both proteins and polyphenols.Moreover,excellent stability of polyphenols can be achieved by using nanoencapsulation techniques such as emulsion,nanohydrogel,and nanocomplex formation.The use of protein combined with other compounds such as lipids and carbohydrates was found to be the most suitable carrier for polyphenols encapsulation.This review aims to describe the interaction between proteins and polyphenols,focusing on applying nanoencapsulation for increasing stability and targeted delivery of phenolic compounds.

Waveguide-integrated optical modulators with two-dimensional materials

Waveguide-integrated optical modulators are indispensable for on-chip optical interconnects and optical computing.To cope with the ever-increasing amount of data being generated and consumed,ultrafast waveguide-integrated optical modulators with low energy consumption are highly demanded.In recent years,two-dimensional(2D)materials have attracted a lot of attention and have provided tremendous opportunities for the development of high-performance waveguide-integrated optical modulators because of their extraordinary optoelectronic properties and versatile compatibility.This paper reviews the state-of-the-art waveguide-integrated optical modulators with 2D materials,providing researchers with the developing trends in the field and allowing them to identify existing challenges and promising potential solutions.First,the concept and fundamental mechanisms of optical modulation with 2D materials are summarized.Second,a review of waveguide-integrated optical modulators employing electro-optic,all-optic,and thermo-optic effects is provided.Finally,the challenges and perspectives of waveguide-integrated modulators with 2D materials are discussed.

Robustness optimization for rapid prototyping of functional artifacts based on visualized computing digital twins

This study presents a robustness optimization method for rapid prototyping(RP)of functional artifacts based on visualized computing digital twins(VCDT).A generalized multiobjective robustness optimization model for RP of scheme design prototype was first built,where thermal,structural,and multidisciplinary knowledge could be integrated for visualization.To implement visualized computing,the membership function of fuzzy decision-making was optimized using a genetic algorithm.Transient thermodynamic,structural statics,and flow field analyses were conducted,especially for glass fiber composite materials,which have the characteristics of high strength,corrosion resistance,temperature resistance,dimensional stability,and electrical insulation.An electrothermal experiment was performed by measuring the temperature and changes in temperature during RP.Infrared thermographs were obtained using thermal field measurements to determine the temperature distribution.A numerical analysis of a lightweight ribbed ergonomic artifact is presented to illustrate the VCDT.Moreover,manufacturability was verified based on a thermal-solid coupled finite element analysis.The physical experiment and practice proved that the proposed VCDT provided a robust design paradigm for a layered RP between the steady balance of electrothermal regulation and manufacturing efficacy under hybrid uncertainties.

Fundamentals and applications of photonic waveguides with bound states in the continuum

Photonic waveguides are the most fundamental element for photonic integrated circuits(PICs).Waveguide properties,such as propagation loss,modal areas,nonlinear coefficients,etc.,directly determine the functionalities and performance of PICs.Recently,the emerging waveguides with bound states in the continuum(BICs)have opened new opportunities for PICs because of their special properties in resonance and radiation.Here,we review the recent progress of PICs composed of waveguides with BICs.First,fundamentals including background physics and design rules of a BIC-based waveguide will be introduced.Next,two types of BIC-based waveguide structures,including shallowly etched dielectric and hybrid waveguides,will be presented.Lastly,the challenges and opportunities of PICs with BICs will be discussed.

Simple Push-Type Wave Generating Method Using Digital Rotary Valve Control

The important parameters to describe waves are their amplitude and length.In order to make it easier to improve wave amplitude and facilitate wave experiment,a simple push-type wave generating method using digital rotary valve control was proposed and different wave amplitudes were generated by the new method.After the mathematical model of the new method had been established,numerical analysis based on the linear wave theory was carried out by means of Matlab/Simulink software tools,and experiments were conducted on the push-type wave maker to ascertain the validity of the established model and the numerical simulation results.It shows that both experimental and theoretical results agree relatively well,and the plate motion frequency and amplitude of the push-type wave maker can be continuously adjusted and the various required regular waves can be obtained.Although the wave amplitude and length descends with the increasing of working frequency,the wave amplitude can be improved conveniently by setting the axial opening width of the valve and the oil supply pressure of system.The wave length remains unchanged with the axial opening width and the oil supply pressure change.The research indicates that different regular waves can be easily generated by the new method and the wave amplitude can be further improved in a certain plate motion frequency range.

Ocean Observation Technologies:A Review

Covering about three quarters of the surface area of the earth,the ocean is a critical source of sustenance,medicine,and commerce.However,such vast expanse in both surface area and depth,presents myriad observing challenges for researchers,such as corrosion,attenuation of electromagnetic waves,and high pressure.Ocean observation technologies are progressing from the conventional single node,static and short-term modalities to multiple nodes,dynamic and long-term modalities,to increase the density of both temporal and spatial samplings.Although people’s knowledge of the oceans has been still quite limited,the contributions of many nations cooperating to develop the Global Ocean Observing System(GOOS)have remarkably promoted the development of ocean observing technologies.This paper reviews the typical observing technologies deployed from the sea surface to the seafloor,and discusses the future trend of the ocean observation systems with the docking technology and sustained ocean energy.

Present Status and Prospect of High-Frequency Electro-hydraulic Vibration Control Technology

Electro-hydraulic vibration equipment(EHVE)is widely used in vibration environment simulation tests,such as vehicles,weapons,ships,aerospace,nuclear industries and seismic waves replication,etc.,due to its large output power,displacement and thrust,as well as good workload adaptation and multi-controllable parameters.Based on the domestic and overseas development of high-frequency EHVE,dividing them into servo-valve controlled vibration equipment and rotary-valve controlled vibration equipment.The research status and progress of high-frequency electro-hydraulic vibration control technology(EHVCT)are discussed,from the perspective of vibration waveform control and vibration controller.The problems of current electro-hydraulic vibration system bandwidth and waveform distortion control,stability control,offset control and complex vibration waveform generation in high-frequency vibration conditions are pointed out.Combining the existing rotary-valve controlled high-frequency electro-hydraulic vibration method,a new twin-valve independently controlled high-frequency electro-hydraulic vibration method is proposed to break through the limitations of current electro-hydraulic vibration technology in terms of system frequency bandwidth and waveform distortion.The new method can realize independent adjustment and control of vibration waveform frequency,amplitude and offset under high-frequency vibration conditions,and provide a new idea for accurate simulation of high-frequency vibration waveform.

Enhanced mechanical properties and formability of hot-rolled Mg-Zn-Mn alloy by Ca and Sm alloying

In order to broaden the application of wrought Mg alloy sheets in the automotive industry,the influence of Ca and Sm alloying on the texture evolution,mechanical properties,and formability of a hot-rolled Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy was investigated by OM,XRD,SEM,EBSD,tensile tests,and Erichsen test.The results showed that the average grain size and basal texture intensity of Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloys were remarkably decreased after Ca and Sm additions.0.64 wt.%Ca or 0.48 wt.%Sm addition significantly increased the tensile strength,ductility and formability.Moreover,the synergetic addition of Sm and Ca improved the ductility and formability of Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy,which was due to the change of Ca distribution and further reduction of the size of Ca-containing particles by Sm addition.The results provided a possibility of replacing RE elements with Ca and Sm in Mg alloys which bring about outstanding mechanical properties and formability.

Fluid-driven artificialmuscles: bio-design, manufacturing, sensing, control, and applications

Developing artificial muscles that can replace biological muscles to accomplish various tasks iswhat we have long been aiming for.Recent advances in flexible materials and 3D printing technology greatly promote the development of artificial muscle technology.A variety of flexible material-based artificial muscles that are driven by different external stimuli,including pressure,voltage,light,magnetism,temperature,etc.,have been developed.Among these,fluid-driven artificial muscles(FAMs),which can convert the power of fluid(gas or liquid)into the force output and displacement of flexible materials,are the most widely used actuation methods for industrial robots,medical instruments,and human-assisted devices due to their simplicity,excellent safety,large actuation force,high energy efficiency,and low cost.Herein,the bio-design,manufacturing,sensing,control,and applications of FAMs are introduced,including conventional pneumatic/hydraulic artificial muscles and several innovative artificial muscles driven by functional fluids.What’s more,the challenges and future directions of FAMs are discussed.

Ultrahigh-resolution on-chip spectrometer with silicon photonic resonators

A compact spectrometer on silicon is proposed and demonstrated with an ultrahigh resolution.It consists of a thermally-tunable ultra-high-Q resonator aiming at ultrahigh resolution and an array of wideband resonators for achieving a broadened working window.The present on-chip spectrometer has a footprint as compact as 0.35 mm^(2),and is realized with standard multi-project-wafer foundry processes.The measurement results show that the on-chip spectrometer has an ultra-high resolution Δλ of 5 pm and a wide working window of 10 nm.The dynamic range defined as the ratio of the working window and the wavelength resolution is as large as 1940,which is the largest for on-chip dispersive spectro-meters to the best of our knowledge.The present high-performance on-chip spectrometer has great potential for high-resolution spectrum measurement in the applications of gas sensing,food monitoring,health analysis,etc.

Synthesis and characterization of caprolactone based polyurethane with degradable and antifouling performance

In this work,a degradable polyurethane composed of caprolactone(CL)and L-Lactide(LLA)as soft segments,and 4,40-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate)(H12 MDI)and polytetramethylene ether glycol(PTMEG)as hard segments,was prepared.Hydrolytic degradation experiment revealed that the degradable polyurethane(PU)could be degraded in artificial seawater.It also showed that caprolactone-copolyurethane(CL-PU)copolymer with higher crystallinity degraded much slower in artificial seawater.However,the introduction of LLA resulted in an increase in the hydrophilicity and reduction in the crystallinity of degradable PU,as demonstrated by the contact angle analysis.The result of the scanning electron microscope showed that the surface of degradable PU renewed under static condition.Moreover,degradable PU was able to be used as a carrier,and it controlled the release rate of 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-isothiazolone(DCOIT).The anti-diatom(Navicula incerta)test demonstrated that the(caprolactone-co-L-lactide)-co-polyurethane 4(CL/LAx-PU4)with DCOIT contents prevented the adhesion of diatom Navicula incerta(88.37%reduction)due to their self-polishing and the release of antifoulants.Therefore,the degradable PU consisted of CL,LLA,and DCOIT could be a durable resin with good antifouling activity for the application in the marine anti-biofouling field.

Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Encased Bimetallic Selenide for High-Performance Water Electrolysis

Demand of highly efficient earth-abundant transition metal-based electrocatalysts to replace noble metal materials for boosting oxygen evolution reaction(OER)is rapidly growing.Herein,an electrochemically exfoliated graphite(EG)foil supported bimetallic selenide encased in N-doped carbon(EG/(Co,Ni)Se2-NC)hybrid is developed and synthesized by a vapor-phase hydrothermal strategy and subsequent selenization process.The as-prepared EG/(Co,Ni)Se2-NC hybrid exhibits a core-shell structure where the particle diameter of(Co,Ni)Se2 core is about 70 nm and the thickness of N-doped carbon shell is approximately 5 nm.Benefitting from the synergistic effects between the combination of highly active Co species and improved electron transfer from Ni species,and N-doped carbon,the EG/(Co,Ni)Se2-NC hybrid shows remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward OER with a comparatively low overpotential of 258 mV at an current density of 10 mA cm?2 and a small Tafel slope of 73.3 mV dec?1.The excellent OER catalysis performance of EG/(Co,Ni)Se2-NC hybrid is much better than that of commercial Ir/C(343 mV at 10 mA cm?2 and 98.1 mV dec?1),and even almost the best among all previously reported binary CoNi selenide-based OER electrocatalysts.Furthermore,in situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy combined with ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicates that the superb OER catalysis activity can be attributed to the highly active Co-OOH species and modified electron transfer process from Ni element.

Effects of carbon sources and temperature on the formation and structural characteristics of food-related Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms

Biofilms are a constant concern in the food industry;understanding the effect of environmental conditions on biofilm formation is essential to develop effective control strategies.Therefore,this study was conducted to investigate biofilms formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis under various conditions.Biofilms were cultured in nutrient broth containing different carbon source concentrations(0–10 mg/mL)on polystyrene surfaces for 32 h of incubation at 37℃or 55℃,with quantification and enumeration at 8,16,24 and 32 h.S.epidermidis developed biofilms under all tested conditions;achieved the highest yield of biofilm biomass at 2.5 mg/mL for all carbon sources at 37℃.The highest efficiency of extracellular polymeric substance(EPS)molecule production occurred under glucose availability in the growth environment,with a higher yield of biomass and a significantly smaller number of metabolically active cells than under other tested conditions.A condensed ball-shaped structure was observed under the lactose condition.Meanwhile,biofilms in the presence of maltose showed mainly opaque thick rich colonies,while a compact multilayered-shaped structure was exhibited under both glucose and sucrose conditions.These results contribute to a better understanding of the biofilm formation by S.epidermidis in order to reduce contamination and recontamination in the food industry.

A Superaerophobic Bimetallic Selenides Heterostructure for Efficient Industrial-Level Oxygen Evolution at Ultra-High Current Densities

Cost-effective and stable electrocatalysts with ultra-high current densities for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction(OER)are critical to the energy crisis and environmental pollution.Herein,we report a superaerophobic three dimensional(3D)heterostructured nanowrinkles of bimetallic selenides consisting of crystalline NiSe2 and NiFe2Se4 grown on NiFe alloy(NiSe2/NiFe2Se4@NiFe)prepared by a thermal selenization procedure.In this unique 3D heterostructure,numerous nanowrinkles of NiSe2/NiFe2Se4 hybrid with a thickness of ~100 nm are grown on NiFe alloy in a uniform manner.Profiting by the large active surface area and high electronic conductivity,the superaerophobic NiSe2/NiFe2Se4@NiFe heterostructure exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity and durability towards OER in alkaline media,outputting the low potentials of 1.53 and 1.54 V to achieve ultra-high current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm^−2,respectively,which is among the most active Ni/Fe-based selenides,and even superior to the benchmark Ir/C catalyst.The in-situ derived FeOOH and NiOOH species from NiSe2/NiFe2Se4@NiFe are deemed to be efficient active sites for OER.

Integrated System of Solar Cells with Hierarchical NiCo2O4 Battery-Supercapacitor Hybrid Devices for Self-Driving Light-Emitting Diodes

An integrated system has been provided with a-Si/H solar cells as energy conversion device,NiCo2O4 battery-supercapacitor hybrid(BSH)as energy storage device,and light emitting diodes(LEDs)as energy utilization device.By designing three-dimensional hierarchical NiCo2O4 arrays as faradic electrode,with capacitive electrode of active carbon(AC),BSHs were assembled with energy density of 16.6 Wh kg-1,power density of 7285 W kg-1,long-term stability with 100% retention after 15,000 cycles,and rather low self-discharge.The NiCo2O4//AC BSH was charged to 1.6 V in 1 s by solar cells and acted as reliable sources for powering LEDs.The integrated system is rational for operation,having an overall efficiency of 8.1% with storage efficiency of 74.24%.The integrated system demonstrates a stable solar power conversion,outstanding energy storage behavior,and reliable light emitting.Our study offers a precious strategy to design a self-driven integrated system for highly efficient energy utilization.