Porosity of the porous carbonate rocks in the Jingfengqiao–Baidiao area based on finite automata

This study is based on the processing of computed microtomography images of rock samples. In this study, a finite automation is constructed using the grey value, red-green-blue (RGB) value and Euler number of polarized images of carbonate rocks from the Jingfengqiao–Baidiao area. The finite automaton is used to perform black and white binary processing of the polarized images of the carbonate rocks. The porosity of the carbonate rock is calculated based on the black and white binarization processing results of the polarized images of the carbonate rocks. The obtained porosity is compared with the carbonate porosity obtained by use of the traditional carbonate research method. When the two porosities are close, the image processing threshold of the finite automata is considered to be credible. Based on the finite automata established using the image processing threshold, the black and white binary images of the polarized images of the carbonate rocks are used to establish a rock pore image using I mage J2X. The polarized images of the carbonate rocks are classified according to their RGB values using the finite automata for the porosity classification, and the obtained images are used as textures to paste onto a cube to construct a three-dimensional data model of the carbonate rocks. This study also uses 16S rDNA analysis to verify the formation mechanism of the carbonate pores in the Jingfengqiao–Baidiao area. The results of the 16S rDNA analysis show that the pores in the carbonate rocks in the Jingfengqiao–Baidiao area are closely related to microorganisms, represented by denitrifying bacteria.

Combined LC–MS/MS and 16S rDNA analysis on mice under high temperature and humidity and Herb Yinchen protection mechanism

With increased global warming, the impact of high temperature and humidity (HTH) on human health is increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine describes the Herb Yinchen as a remedy for reducing heat and eliminating dampness. This study focused on the impact of HTH conditions on mice and the potential protective effect of Herb Yinchen. Five male Balb/c mouse groups included two normal control groups, two HTH-exposed groups, and one Yinchen-treated group. For either three or ten days, normal and HTH-exposed mice were housed under normal or HTH (33 ± 2 °C,85% relative humidity) conditions, respectively. Yinchen-treated mice, housed under HTH conditions, received the Herb Yinchen decoction for three days. Metabolite profiles of plasma and liver samples from each group were analyzed using LC–MS/MS. Fecal DNA was extracted for 16S rDNA analysis to evaluate the intestinal microbiome. Spearman correlation analysis was performed on metabolites, bacteria, and bile acids that differed between the groups. We found that HTH altered the host metabolite profiles and reduced microbial diversity, causing intestinal microbiome imbalance. Interestingly, Herb Yinchen treatment improved HTH-mediated changes of the metabolite profiles and the intestinal microbiome, restoring them to values observed in normal controls. In conclusion, our study reveals that HTH causes intestinal bacterial disturbances and metabolic disorders in normal mice, while Herb Yinchen could afford protection against such changes.

Carbonaceous Soot from Thermal Decomposition of Kerosene: A Pioneering Report for Paint Preservation

Bacterial resistance to conventional paint biocides is widely documented. However, an investigation regarding the preservative potential of carbonaceous soot as a viable alternative is novel. Fresh paint samples (SA, SB and SC) were collected in duplicates from a reputable paint manufacturing company in Lagos, Nigeria. SA was produced with conventional paint biocide, SB and SC were without biocide. All samples were inoculated with 0.032 × 106 cfu/mL of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 (NC 002516.2) previously isolated from spoilt paints and identified by the 16S rDNA analysis. SB was supplemented with crude soot (10 g/L of distilled water) at 200 mL v/v. The preservative efficiency of soot was investigated by monitoring the bacterial population (BP), optical density (OD600nm), viscosity (VIS), the transmittance (TR) and specific gravity (SG) of the samples bi-weekly for 14 weeks. BP increased drastically from 0.032-31.61 × 106 and from 0.032-112.93 × 106 in SA and SC respectively. In contrast, SB increased from 0.032-24.63 × 106 by week 4 but reduced from 24.63 – 10.95 × 106 by week 14. The OD of SA increased from 1.55 to 1.98 by week 8 and decreased to 1.74 by week 14. SB had a decrease from 1.60 to 1.49 by week 4 and increased to 1.63 by week 14, while SC increased from 1.59 to 2.54 by the 14th week.TR increased from 1.80 to 2.30 and 1.25 to 2.20 in SA and SC respectively. In contrast, TR decreased from 2.00 to 1.25 in SB. The viscosity and specific gravity values of all the samples decreased with time with the highest decrease observed in SC and the lowest in SB. The test crude soot showed preservative potential in paints.