Southwest University

About: Southwest University is a education organization based out in Chongqing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Bombyx mori. The organization has 29772 authors who have published 27755 publications receiving 409441 citations. The organization is also known as: Southwest University in Chongqing & SWU.

Recent advances on cellulose nanocrystals for Pickering emulsions: Development and challenge

Abstract: Background Pickering emulsions stabilized by solid particles have captured a growing interest recently due to their outstanding stability. Among various solid stabilizers, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) mainly from agricultural and forestry wastes have emerged as promising materials in Pickering emulsions application due to their favorable properties such as nanostructure, high aspect ratio, biocompatibility, amphiphilicity, low toxicity, and renewability. Scope and approach In this review, the source and extraction methods of CNCs are summarized briefly. Then, the recent advances in CNCs stabilized Pickering emulsions are highlighted, including the factors affecting the emulsification performance of CNCs itself and the synergistic effect induced by other substances. Furthermore, the food-related research, safety issue and the promising research trends of CNCs stabilized Pickering emulsions are also outlined. Key findings and conclusions The properties of CNCs mainly depend on the cellulose sources and extraction processes. The morphology, surface charge, wettability and crystalline allomorph of CNCs can influence emulsifying ability as Pickering stabilizers. The synergistic effect induced by other substances (i.e. polysaccharide, protein, polyphenol, lignin, surfactant, and inorganic particle) increases potential of CNCs in Pickering emulsions application. The food-related research of CNCs stabilized Pickering emulsions currently focuses on delivering bioactive compounds, improving stability and controlling lipid digestion. Future studies could devote more efforts to effective and green extraction of CNCs, revealing stabilization mechanism in a multicomponent system and developing functional applications of CNCs-based Pickering emulsions. In addition, the safety assessment involving CNCs and their stabilized emulsions deserves more attention for food-related applications.

Examination of Neural Systems Sub-Serving Facebook “Addiction”:

Abstract: Because addictive behaviors typically result from violated homeostasis of the impulsive (amygdala-striatal) and inhibitory (prefrontal cortex) brain systems, this study examined whether these systems sub-serve a specific case of technology-related addiction, namely Facebook "addiction." Using a go/no-go paradigm in functional MRI settings, the study examined how these brain systems in 20 Facebook users (M age = 20.3 yr., SD = 1.3, range = 18-23) who completed a Facebook addiction questionnaire, responded to Facebook and less potent (traffic sign) stimuli. The findings indicated that at least at the examined levels of addiction-like symptoms, technology-related "addictions" share some neural features with substance and gambling addictions, but more importantly they also differ from such addictions in their brain etiology and possibly pathogenesis, as related to abnormal functioning of the inhibitory-control brain system.

Fulvic Acid Application Improves the Maize Performance under Well‐watered and Drought Conditions

Abstract: Water deficit is perhaps the most severe threat to sustainable crop production in the conditions of changing climate. Researchers are striving hard to develop resistance against water deficit in crop plants to ensure food security for the coming generations. This study was conducted to establish the role of fulvic acid (FA) application in improving the performance of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under drought. Maize plants were grown under normal conditions till tasselling and were then subjected to drought by cessation of water followed by foliar application of FA (1.5 mg l−1). Drought stress disrupted the photosynthetic pigments and reduced the gas exchange leading to reduction in plant growth and productivity. Nonetheless, exogenous FA application substantially ameliorated the adversities of drought by sustaining the chlorophyll contents and gas exchange possibly by enhanced levels of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)) activities and proline. These beneficial effects yielded in terms of plant growth and allometry, and grain yield. It is interesting to note that FA application also improved the crop performance under well‐watered conditions. Hence, FA may be applied to improve the crop performance under drought and well‐watered conditions.