Search Results (5,710)

Whey is a natural by-product of the cheese-making process and represents a valuable source of nutrients, including vitamins, all essential amino acids and proteins with high quality and digestibility characteristics. Thanks to its different techno-functional characteristics, such as solubility, emulsification, gelling and foaming, it has been widely exploited in food manufacturing. Also, advances in processing technologies have enabled the industrial production of a variety of whey-based products exerting biological activities. The beneficial properties of whey proteins (WPs) include their documented effects on cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune and nervous systems, and their putative role in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In this regard, research on their application for health enhancement, based on the optimization of product formulation and the development of pharmaceuticals, is highly relevant. Beyond the health and nutritionally relevant effects as in in vivo animal studies, the allergenicity of WPs and WP hydrolysates is also herein tackled and discussed, as well as their potential role as therapeutics for immune tolerance and so-called tolerogenic effects. Grounded on the WPs’ health-promoting functions, this paper presents the latest research showing the potential of whey-derived peptides as an alternative strategy in NCD treatment. This work also reports a careful analysis of their current use, also revealing which obstacles limit their full exploitation, thus highlighting the future challenges in the field. Concluding, safety considerations, encompassing WP allergenicity, are also discussed, providing some insights on the role of WPs and peptides in milk allergen immunotolerance. Full article

Shock-to-detonation transition (SDT) is the detonation of explosive charge triggered by the shock pressure from a nearby detonated explosive or an impact at high speed. A good prediction of SDT is a key in the design of explosives’ use, storage, and transportation. Typically, SDT simulation must use designated commercial software; therefore, a high license cost is necessary. This paper presents a simulation of SDT by a cost-effective hydrodynamic code developed on an open-source code framework, OpenFOAM. The code adopted the multi-material Eulerian method, Ignition and Growth reaction rate model, and Riemann solver to solve the shock-induced detonation phenomenon. The code was verified by a Pop plot calculation and a sympathetic detonation simulation. In the Pop plot calculation, the distance-of-run to the detonation of Composition B depending on the initial shock pressure was simulated. The reactant and product phases of Composition B were modeled by the Jone–Wilkins–Lee (JWL) equation of state (EOS). The aluminum plate used to create the initial shock pressure was modeled by shock Mie–Gruneisen (MG) EOS. The predicted distance-of-run against the initial shock pressure was in good agreement with an empirical correlation and experimental data. In the sympathetic detonation simulation, the charge explosive and nearby explosive were Composition B and were modeled by JWL EOS as in the Pop plot calculation and the plexiglass gap was modeled by MG EOS. The simulated critical gap for the sympathetic detonation was well predicted as in the other published data. This implies that the code is valid for SDT simulation. In addition, it is a cost-effective simulation, since the code was developed on open-source code, so massive computation can then be run without license costs. Full article

Rigid polyurethane-based foam is an ideal choice for sandwich-panel-filling materials due to its high strength, low thermal conductivity, high adhesion, and high chemical resistivity. Since sandwich panel materials often face cyclic mechanical loads during their service, it is significant to study the design methods of fatigue-resistant rigid polyurethane foam and its fatigue failure mechanism to improve the performance of sandwich-panel-filling materials. In this study, a fatigue-resistant rubber powder/polyurethane composite material was prepared by introducing rubber powder, and its fatigue failure mechanism was systematically studied. The static mechanical test results indicate that with the introduction of 20% rubber powder, the compressive strength (at 85% strain) increased to 588 kPa. Additionally, thanks to the excellent energy absorption and dissipation properties of rubber powder, it can effectively dissipate mechanical energy during cyclic loading. The fatigue test results show that after the introduction of rubber powder, the fatigue life of the polyurethane foam material increases from 10,258 cycles (for PU, stress ratio 0.6) to 45,987 cycles (for 20R-PU, stress ratio 0.6). This study not only proves the fact that rubber powder can improve the fatigue performance of foam materials but also provides a potential option for the design of high-performance filling materials. Full article

Protein constitutes the primary nutrient in soy, and its modifications are intricately linked to the properties of the soy milk powder. This study employed six main commercial enzymes (bromelain, neutrase, papain, trypsin, flavourzyme, and alcalase) to investigate the impact of enzymatic hydrolysis on the structural and functional properties of soy protein isolate (SPI), as well as its influence on the physicochemical properties of soy milk powder. The findings indicated that each of enzymes exhibits distinct specificity, with the degree of hydrolysis following the order: alcalase > flavourzyme > papain > bromelain > neutrase > trypsin. Enzymatic hydrolysis facilitates the unfolding of SPI, leading to the exposure of chromogenic fluorophores and hydrophobic amino acid residues, which in turn promotes an increase in free sulfhydryl content. Concurrently, this process induces the transformation of α-helix and β-sheet into β-turn and random coil. The enzyme modification enhances the solubility, emulsification, and foaming activities of SPI and significantly augment its antioxidant properties (p < 0.05). However, this enzymatic treatment adversely affects the stability of its emulsification and foaming properties. Subsequent to enzymatic hydrolysis, soy milk powder demonstrated a reduction in particle size and an improvement in solubility, which significantly enhanced its flavor profile. In summary, alcalase offers substantial advantages in augmenting the functional properties of SPI and increasing the solubility of soy milk powder. However, this process adversely affects the flavor profile of soy milk powder, a consequence attributed to the broad hydrolysis specificity of alcalase. Full article

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is a type of leguminous plant with high feeding value. It contains a high concentration of tannins at all growth stages, which can precipitate soluble proteins and form a large number of persistent foams in the rumen, so that ruminant livestock will not develop dilatation disease during green feeding and grazing. The germination rate of O. viciifolia seeds is very low under natural conditions. The preliminary experiment showed that 600 mg/L GA₃ treatment significantly improved the germination rate and seed vitality of sainfoin seeds. In comparison to CK, GA₃ significantly decreased the relative content of endogenous inhibitors, with the most notable reduction observed in 4-nitroso-N-phenyl-benzenamine. Therefore, we selected the dry seed stage (GZ), imbibition stage (XZ), split stage (LK), and radicle emergence stage (MF) of four different germination stages treated with GA₃ for transcriptome analysis. RNA-seq identified 1392, 2534 and 4284 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GZ vs. XZ, XZ vs. LK, and LK vs. MF, respectively. During seed germination, DEGs are mainly enriched in hormone signaling and phenylalanine biosynthesis pathways, and up-down-regulation of these DEGs may alter hormone and secondary metabolite levels to promote germination. The results of weighted gene co-expression network construction (WGCNA) also indicate that plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis play a dominant role in GA₃-induced seed germination. In conclusion, the combined analysis of transcriptomic and physiological indicators provided new insights into seed germination and a theoretical basis for further study of candidate genes. Full article

Foam and hydrogel profile control are commonly utilized water-blocking and profile modification techniques in oil fields. This study integrates a foam system with a gel system, employing an organic titanium crosslinking agent to crosslink polyvinyl alcohol, thereby forming a gel system. Concurrently, a gas-evolving agent is incorporated into the system to induce in situ foaming, thereby creating an environmentally benign foam gel system. The fundamental constituents of this system comprise 2 wt% to 5 wt% polyvinyl alcohol, 2 wt% to 4 wt% crosslinker, and 0.3 wt% to 0.9 wt% gas-generating agent. By varying the amounts of each component, the strength grade, gelation time, and foaming volume of the foam gel can be effectively adjusted. The results of the temperature resistance performance evaluation indicate that within the temperature range of 80 °C to 130 °C, the gelation performance of the foam gel is stable and good. At 90 °C, the foam gel can remain stable for 340 days with minimal strength variation. The plugging experiments indicate that the formulated foam gel system exhibits superior injectability and can effectively seal the sand-filled tube model, achieving a blocking efficiency of up to 96.36%. Full article

Five series of rigid polyurethane–polyisocyanurate (RPU/PIR) foams were obtained. They were modified by ashes from burning paper (P) and wood: conifers (pine—S, spruce—S’) and deciduous trees (oak—D, birch—B). The ash was added to rigid polyurethane–polyisocyanurate foams (PU/PIR). In this way, five series of foams with different ash contents (from 1 to 9% wt.) were obtained: PP, PS, PD, PS’, PB. The model foam (reference—W) was obtained without filler. The basic properties, physico-mechanical, and thermal properties of the ashes and obtained foams were examined. It was specified, among other things, the cellular structure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and changes in chemical structure by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were compared. The obtained foams were also subjected to thermostating in a circulating air dryer in increased temperature (120 °C) for 48 h. Ash tests showed that their skeletal density is about 2.9 g/cm³, and the pH of their solutions ranges from 9 to 13. The varied color of the ashes affected the color of the foams. SEM-EDS tests showed the presence of magnesium, calcium, silicon, potassium, aluminum, phosphorus, sodium, and sulfur in the ashes. Foam tests showed that pine ash is the most beneficial for foams, because it increases their compressive strength three times compared to W foam and improves their thermal stability. All ashes cause the residue after combustion of the foams (retention) to increase and the range of combustion of the samples to decrease. Full article

Atherosclerosis, a leading contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is characterized by foam cell formation driven by excessive lipid accumulation in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. This study elucidates the anti-atherosclerotic potential of AWLNH (P3) and PHDL (P4) peptides by assessing their effects on foam cell formation, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress regulation. P3 and P4 effectively suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophages and human aortic smooth muscle cells (hASMCs), thereby mitigating foam cell formation. Mechanistically, both peptides modulated cholesterol homeostasis by downregulating cholesterol influx mediators, cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), and class A1 scavenger receptor (SR-A1), while upregulating cholesterol efflux transporters ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1 (ABCG1). The activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) and liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-α) further substantiated their role in promoting cholesterol efflux and restoring lipid homeostasis. Additionally, P3 and P4 peptides exhibited potent antioxidative properties by attenuating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through activation of the HO-1/Nrf2 signaling axis. HO-1 silencing via siRNA transfection abolished these effects, confirming HO-1-dependent regulation of oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Collectively, these findings highlight P3 and P4 peptides as promising therapeutic agents for atherosclerosis by concurrently targeting foam cell formation, cholesterol dysregulation, and oxidative stress, warranting further exploration for potential clinical applications. Full article

This study focuses on the deposition of microplastics (MPs) on urban beaches along the central São Paulo coastline, utilizing advanced methodologies such as remote sensing, GNSS altimetric surveys, µ-Raman spectroscopy, and machine learning (ML) models. MP concentrations ranged from 6 to 35 MPs/m², with the highest densities observed near the Port of Santos, attributed to industrial and port activities. The predominant MP types identified were foams (48.7%), fragments (27.7%), and pellets (23.2%), while fibers were rare (0.4%). Beach slope and orientation were found to facilitate the concentration of MP deposition, particularly for foams and pellets. The study’s ML models showed high predictive accuracy, with Random Forest and Gradient Boosting performing exceptionally well for specific MP categories (pellet, fragment, fiber, foam, and film). Polymer characterization revealed the prevalence of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, reflecting sources such as disposable packaging and industrial raw materials. The findings emphasize the need for improved waste management and targeted urban beach cleanups, which currently fail to address smaller MPs effectively. This research highlights the critical role of combining in situ data with predictive models to understand MP dynamics in coastal environments. It provides actionable insights for mitigation strategies and contributes to global efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14, aimed at conserving marine ecosystems and reducing pollution. Full article

Flexible grippers based on magnetically sensitive rubber have garnered significant research attention due to their high gripping adaptability and ease of control. However, current research designs often separate the excitation device from the flexible finger, which can lead to potential interference or damage to other electronic components in the working environment and an inability to simultaneously ensure safety and gripping performance. In this paper, we propose an integrated magnetically controlled bionic flexible gripper that combines the excitation device and the flexible finger. We derive a formula for calculating the magnetic field generated by the excitation device, model and simulate the device, and find that the optimal magnetic field effect is achieved when the core-to-coil size ratio is 1:5. Additionally, we fabricated flexible fingers with different NdFeB volume ratios and experimentally determined that a volume ratio of 20% yields relatively better bending performance. The integrated magnetically controlled bionic flexible gripper described in this paper can adaptively grasp items such as rubber, column foam, and electrical tape, achieving maximum grasping energy efficiency of 0.524 g per millitesla (g/mT). These results highlight its potential advantages in applications such as robotic end-effectors and industrial automatic sorting. Full article

Cement-based foam composites have gained attention as innovative and high-performing adsorbents for wastewater treatment due to their lightweight, porous, and structurally robust properties. This study investigates the adsorption of Eriochrome Black T dye onto biochar-modified cement foam, providing a cost-effective solution for industrial wastewater management. The integration of biochar into cement foam enhances its surface area and adsorption capabilities while maintaining structural stability and tunable porosity. The composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to verify quality and functionality. The adsorption process adhered to the Freundlich isotherm model (R² = 0.967), indicating multilayer adsorption, with a maximum capacity of 13.33 mg/g under optimal conditions. Kinetic studies showed a pseudo-first-order fit (R² = 0.981), while thermodynamic analysis revealed a spontaneous and endothermic process, with ΔH° = 28.84 KJ/mol and ΔG° values ranging from −0.457 to −2.36 KJ/mol. These results demonstrate the composite’s exceptional efficiency and scalability, making it a sustainable and practical option for removing persistent dyes such as Eriochrome Black T. This work contributes significantly to the advancement of environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technologies. Full article

Syntactic foams are a promising candidate for applications in marine, oil and gas industries in underwater cables and pipelines due to their excellent insulation properties. The effective transmission of electrical energy through cables requires insulation materials with a low loss factor and low dielectric constant. Similarly, in transporting fluid through pipelines, thermal insulation is crucial. However, both applications are susceptible to potential environmental degradation from moisture exposure, which can significantly impact the material’s properties. This study addresses the knowledge gap by examining the implications of prolonged moisture exposure on thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) and TPU-derived syntactic foam via various multi-scale material characterization methods. This research investigates a flexible syntactic foam composed of TPU and glass microballoons (GMBs) fabricated through selective laser sintering. The study specifically examines the effects of moisture exposure over periods of 90 and 160 days, in conjunction with varying GMB volume fractions of 0%, 20%, and 40%. It aims to elucidate the resulting microphase morphological changes, their underlying mechanisms, and the subsequent impact on thermal transport and dielectric properties, all in comparison to unaged samples of the same material. Our findings reveal that increasing the volume fraction of GMB in TPU-based syntactic foam reduces its thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity. However, moisture exposure did not significantly affect the foam’s thermal conductivity. Additionally, we found that the dielectric constant of the syntactic foams decreases with increasing volume fraction of GMB and decreasing frequency of the applied field, which is due to limited molecular orientation in response to the field. Finally, moisture exposure affects the dielectric loss factor of TPU-based syntactic foams with GMBs, possibly due to the distribution morphology of hard and soft segments in TPU. Full article

This study investigates the effect of a polyurethane (PUR) foam layer on impact force, impact duration, and deformation with regard to radiosondes during drop tests. Numerical (Finite Element Method) and experimental approaches were used to model collisions with and without protective PUR layers. The numerical results demonstrated that adding a soft PUR foam layer reduced peak impact force by 10% while it increased impact duration up to 71%. Experimental drop tests confirmed the numerical outcomes as peak impact force difference was 7% between simulations and experiments, while impact duration differed only by 11%. Besides force and duration, impact deformation was also investigated by an FEM model and high-speed camera footage on radiosondes with a PUR foam layer. The FEM model was able to approximate well the deformation magnitude since the numerical deformation was only 2% lower compared to the experimental data. In summary, a reliable and validated FEM model was created. On the one hand, this model allows the analysis of different protective layers around a radiosonde. On the other hand, it can adequately predict the impact behavior of radiosondes by incorporating multiple important factors. In addition, it has been confirmed that incorporating a soft PUR foam layer significantly improves safety by reducing impact force and extending impact duration. Full article

Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential in stabilizing foam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). However, conventional NPs are difficult to recover and may contaminate produced oil, increasing operational costs. In contrast, superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ NPs can be efficiently recovered using external magnetic fields, offering a sustainable solution for foam stabilization. In this study, Fe₃O₄ NPs were coated with SiO₂ using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and further modified with dodecyltrimethoxysilane to enhance their hydrophobicity. The modification effects were characterized, and the optimal foam-stabilizing Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ NPs were found to have a contact angle of 77.01°. The foam system formed with α-olefin sulfonate (0.2 wt%) as the foaming agent and the optimal modified NPs exhibited a drainage half-life of 452 s. After foam-stabilization experiments, the NPs were recovered and reused, with the results indicating that three recovery cycles were optimal. Finally, visual microscopic displacement experiments demonstrated that the foam stabilized by modified NPs effectively mobilized clustered, membranous, and dead-end residual oil, increasing the recovery rate by 17.01% compared with unmodified NPs. This study identifies key areas for future investigation into the application of magnetic nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery. Full article

Recent advancements in smart textiles have facilitated their extensive application in wearable health monitoring, particularly in brain activity measurement. This study introduces a flexible and washable fabric dry electroencephalography (EEG) electrode designed for brain activity measurement. The fabric dry electrode is constructed from electrically conductive polyester fabric with a resistivity of 0.09 Ω·cm, achieved by applying a PEDOT: PSS/PVA conductive paste coating on the textile substrate. A comparative analysis of the tensile properties between the conductive and untreated polyester fabric was conducted. The SEM images demonstrated that the PEDOT: PSS/PVA conductive polymer composite resulted in a uniform coating on the fabric surface. When enveloped in elastic foam, the fabric dry electrode maintained a low and stable electrode–skin contact impedance during prolonged EEG monitoring. Additionally, the short circuit noise level of the fabric dry electrode exhibited superior performance compared to both Ag/AgCl wet and finger dry electrode. The EEG signals acquired from the fabric dry electrode were comparable to those recorded by the Ag/AgCl wet electrode. Moreover, the fabric electrode effectively captured clear and reliable EEG signals, even after undergoing 10 washing cycles. The fabric dry electrode indicates good sweat resistance and biocompatibility during prolonged monitoring. Full article