Search Results (899)

Acrylamide (AA), a food processing contaminant and potential carcinogen, poses a significant health risk in heat-processed snacks, particularly for children. This study evaluates the efficacy of three pre-treatments: pulsed electric fields (PEFs), ultrasound (USN), and soaking for AA mitigation in popcorn (Zea mays everta). Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), AA levels were quantified across nine treatment variations. All strategies significantly reduced AA formation (p < 0.0001), with soaking (20 min) and USN (20 min) achieving the highest reductions (>82% and 82%, respectively). High-intensity PEF (3 kV cm⁻¹, 300 kJ kg⁻¹) yielded a 71% reduction, though it showed lower reproducibility due to the kernel’s dense morphology. Crucially, while soaking and USN were superior in AA leaching, durations exceeding 20 min compromised popping expansion and sensory texture due to excessive hydration. These results define the critical processing window for industry, balancing toxicological safety with product quality. Full article

In this paper, TiAl-Nb sheets were fabricated via elemental foil metallurgy using Ti, Al, and Nb foils. The microstructure of the TiAl-Nb sheet was regulated by a two-step heat treatment process, which involved short-time holding at 1410 °C, 1430 °C and 1450 °C, followed by long-time holding at 1150 °C. Subsequently, the microstructure of the sheet was analyzed, emphasizing the orientation relationship and interface structure between the B2/β phase, Ti₃Al phase, and the TiAl matrix. The results indicated that, subsequent to diverse heat treatment processes, the TiAl-Nb sheet comprised α₂(Ti₃Al) and B2/β phases at the grain boundaries and within the grains, whereas the matrix structure was γ(TiAl). After TiAl-Nb sheets were heat-treated at 1410 °C for 3 min and then at 1150 °C for 2 h, the microstructure of the sheets was observed to be composed of relatively fine lamellar structures. The TiAl phase, Ti₃Al phase and B2/β phase existed in the form of coherent interfaces with extremely small misfit degrees. The interfacial energy between phases was small, making it easier to obtain an alloy microstructure with a higher content of the γ(TiAl) phase. To further provide a basis for the selection of heat treatment processes, the matrix method analysis indicated that, after holding at 1410 °C for 3 min and subsequently at 1150 °C for 2 h, the TiAl phase and Ti₃Al phase in the sheet structure exhibited obvious preferred orientations. A short β-phase holding (3 min) followed by a long α + γ two-phase holding was an effective process route for obtaining a fine lamellar structure. Full article

To address uneven surface hardness distribution in 65Mn external tooth friction plates after furnace quenching and disc mold tempering, we adopted an integrated quenching and forming process, using an internal-circulation mold. By simultaneously implementing pressure forming and quenching within the internal-circulation mold, the hardness uniformity of the friction plate during forming was improved, effectively suppressing warping deformation. A multi-field coupled model of the friction plate quenching in the internal-circulation mold was established to simulate the dynamic evolution of the temperature field, the microstructural transformation, and the stress field, thus obtaining the complete heat treatment response of the martensitic transformation. The experimentally observed microstructure agreed well with the simulation results. Data analysis showed that after quenching in the internal-circulation mold, the surface hardness difference of a single friction plate was reduced from 3 HRC to 0.9 HRC, and the end face runout decreased from 0.1–0.15 mm to no more than 0.06 mm, significantly improving the product’s dimensional accuracy and performance consistency. Full article

Stress shielding (SS) after cementless total hip arthroplasty arises from the stiffness mismatch between conventional Ti-6Al-4V femoral stems (110 GPa) and cortical bone (10–30 GPa). The β-type Ti-33.6Nb-4Sn (TNS) alloy femoral stem addresses this limitation through a continuous Young’s modulus gradient (~70 GPa proximally to ~40 GPa distally) achieved by localized heat treatment of a single homogeneous alloy. This review synthesizes a translational research program encompassing material characterization, finite element modeling (FEM), preclinical animal studies, and prospective clinical follow-up of up to seven years. FEM demonstrated favorable proximal micromotion well below the osseointegration threshold, with physiological proximal stress concentration concordant with clinical outcomes. At seven years, SS grade distribution was significantly lower in the TNS group than in Ti-6Al-4V controls, with SS frequency reduced in Gruen Zones 2, 3, and 6, and no stem-related failures; however, third-degree SS was still observed in 11 of 34 evaluable cases (32%), indicating that modulus-gradient optimization alone is insufficient to fully prevent SS. TNS alloy is currently the only β-type titanium alloy clinically applied in joint prostheses. Remaining challenges include stem geometry optimization, additive manufacturing-based porous structures, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-based bone density quantification. Future directions encompass long-term follow-up, cyclic fatigue FEM simulations, and expansion to fracture fixation devices and dental implants. Full article

This study investigated the stage-dependent effects of salt, nitrite, heat treatment, and water activity (aW) on physicochemical and microbiological parameters during fermented meat manufacture. Eight formulations representing a fractional subset of a 2 × 2 × 3 × 2 factorial design were evaluated across four processing stages (pre-fermentation, post-fermentation, post-heat treatment, and post-drying). A stage-resolved multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) framework was applied, followed by univariate testing with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Results demonstrated that hurdle effects were strongly stage dependent. Nitrite and its interaction with salt were associated with early stage microbial variation (η² ≤ 0.72), while heat treatment was the dominant factor influencing microbial reduction at the post-processing stage. Notably, short high-temperature heat treatments were most effective at microbial reduction, followed by longer lower-temperature heat treatments, with the intermediate treatment being the least effective, indicating that equivalent time–temperature combinations did not yield equivalent microbiological outcomes. At the final stage, salt and nitrite were associated with compositional, microbial, and quality-related parameters, while aW influenced product structure and concentration effects but was not retained as an independent factor in the multivariate model. These findings indicate that hurdle effects evolve throughout processing and should be considered within a dynamic, stage-specific framework. The results provide a basis for the development of integrated reformulation strategies to reduce salt and nitrite levels while maintaining microbial stability and product quality. Full article

This study examines non-Newtonian electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) blood flow via a diseased curved artery with minor stenosis and an aneurysm, adding a no-slip boundary condition, using targeted medication delivery of nanoparticles. The non-Newtonian behavior of blood flow is accounted for by the Casson fluid model. Using Corcione’s model, we have calculated the effective viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluids. The interaction of the nanofluid with physical phenomena such as viscous dissipation, electro-osmosis, radially applied uniform magnetic field and Joule heating can change the hemodynamic parameters of the fluid. The Crank–Nicolson approach has been used to calculate the velocity, temperature, and concentration patterns within the Debye–Huckel linearization approximation. Streamlines are delineated to analyze flow patterns across distinct physical factors. This study supports the design of magnetically guided $F{e}_3{O}_4$ nanoparticle–based targeted drug delivery systems for treating vascular diseases such as stenosis and aneurysm, improving site-specific therapeutic efficiency. The numerical insights into thermal effects and arterial geometry help to optimize nanoparticle transport, enhancing treatment precision while minimizing systemic side effects. Full article

The increasing demand for porous stainless-steel materials produced by selective laser melting (L-PBF) for biomedical implants, filtration systems, heat exchangers, and energy devices has created an urgent need to improve their mechanical performance. Optimizing process parameters and microstructural properties is therefore critical for enhancing the overall functionality and reliability of L-PBF porous stainless-steel structures. This paper studies the effect of an aging heat treatment on the mechanical properties of L-PBF specimens, manufactured with stainless steel Uddeholm Corrax powders. The porosity was selected to be about 3%, based on manufacturer’s experience on the production injection mold inserts, with the ability to drain air. To reach this porosity, a set of manufacturing variables were selected, quantified in terms of VED (Volumetric Energy Density) of 59.01 J/mm³. The analysis of the mechanical behavior was focused on the compressive and flexural strength, dynamic Young’s modulus and the energy dissipation during earlier fatigue loading cycles. This study concluded that the heat treatment produces a negligible effect on dynamic Young’s modulus and increases the bending strength by about 25% and the compressive plateau strength by about 17%. Both specimens’ batches exhibit similar fatigue strain accumulation for cyclic compressive tests. Full article

The development of stable and efficient essential oil delivery systems remains a persistent challenge in active food packaging applications. This research aimed to develop a multi-functional soy protein isolate (SPI)-based composite gel film integrating a tea tree oil micro emulsion (TME) via a microemulsion-in-gel approach, featuring sustained antioxidant release. The TME was first optimized using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and exhibited excellent physicochemical stability. It maintained a droplet size ranging from 10 to 13 nm, with a polydispersity index (PDI) less than 0.2 under diverse stress situations (such as dilution, heat treatment, pH change, centrifugation, and 30-day storage). Afterward, TME-SPI composite gel films containing 1 to 3% TME were fabricated through solution casting and subsequent gelation of the protein matrix. The incorporation of TME markedly improved the properties of the gel film network. It raised the opacity by around 2.5 times, boosted the elongation at break to 144% (which is three times that of the control), and distinctively enhanced both water solubility and the water vapor barrier. Importantly, the 2% TME-SPI gel film exhibited sustained antioxidant activity from within the gel matrix, retaining more than 50% of its original 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity after 72 h, significantly outperforming films containing free TTO. The microemulsion-in-gel approach was shown to be effective in creating SPI-based gel films that possess combined light-barrier characteristics, adjustable moisture resistance, improved flexibility, and extended antioxidant release. This offers a promising framework for the next generation of active food packaging. Furthermore, the composite gel films exhibited concentration-dependent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with the 3% TME-SPI film achieving an 82% inhibition rate, thus experimentally validating its active packaging potential. Full article

Peach bacterial shot hole is a major disease limiting the yield and quality in most peach-producing areas worldwide. To clarify its etiology and support the development of targeted management strategies, diseased samples were collected from Changli County peach orchards. The pathogen was isolated, purified and verified by Koch’s postulates. Based on morphological, biochemical and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses, the causal agent was identified as Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (isolate TCK-5). Biological characterization revealed that TCK-5 grew optimally in KB and NB medium at 28 °C, pH 7.0–7.5 and 0.5–1.0% NaCl, efficiently utilized glycerol and organic nitrogen source (proteose peptone, beef extract and yeast extract), with light showing no significant effect on growth. The strain TCK-5 exhibited a lethal temperature of 51 °C, indicating that heat treatment above this threshold effectively disinfects pruning tools and contaminated plant debris. Among 18 bactericides tested in vitro, biological bactericide outperformed chemical ones, with 0.3% Tetramycin AS (EC₅₀ = 0.1051 mg/L) and 3% Zhongshengmycin SL (EC₅₀ = 2.9252 mg/L) exhibiting the strongest inhibitory activity. This study fills a regional knowledge gap in the epidemiological distribution of the pathogen in northern China and advances current understanding of X. arboricola pv. pruni occurrence, providing a scientific basis for subsequent epidemic monitoring and integrated control of peach bacterial shot hole. Full article

To address the insufficient strength of friction-stir-welded (FSW) ultra-high-strength Al–Cu–Li alloy joints, the effects of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. The as-welded joint showed a “W”-shaped microhardness profile, with the minimum value located in the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), mainly caused by the dissolution of T₁ phases and precipitation of coarse AlCu, AlCuMg, and AlCuMn phases during welding. Direct artificial aging at 155 °C for 24 h failed to improve joint strength due to solute depletion induced by pre-existing coarse secondary phases. Solution treatment re-dissolved coarse precipitates into the matrix, and subsequent aging led to uniform precipitation dominated by T₁ and θ′ phases, with a consistent microhardness of ~155 HV across all zones. By introducing pre-stretching deformation after solution treatment, T₁ became the dominant strengthening phase in all regions, accompanied by a remarkable increase in both microhardness and tensile strength. With 3% pre-stretching, the microhardness reached 185 HV, and the ultimate tensile strength of the joint reached 600 MPa, corresponding to a joint efficiency as high as 95%, which is superior to most reported values for Al–Li alloy FSW joints. This study clarifies the precipitation evolution mechanism under tailored PWHT and provides an effective strategy for property regulation of high-performance Al–Cu–Li alloy FSW structures in aerospace applications. Full article

Bi₂Te₃-based materials are benchmark room-temperature thermoelectrics, widely used in refrigeration, waste heat recovery, and microdevice thermal management. Magnetron sputtering demonstrates significant potential as an effective strategy for the mass production of superior Bi₂Te₃ thin films, offering advantages such as dense microstructure, controllable composition, good repeatability, and compatibility with semiconductor processes. However, existing studies largely focus on individual factors affecting film properties, lacking a systematic understanding of the interrelationships among process parameters, microstructures, and thermoelectric performance. Poor comparability across studies due to varying deposition conditions further limits insight into key controlling mechanisms. Recent efforts have centered on three regulatory aspects in magnetron sputtering: (1) optimization of sputtering parameters (e.g., power, pressure, temperature, and target composition); (2) post-annealing treatment; and (3) doping modification. Notable progress has been made in enhancing thermoelectric performance through these approaches. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the fabrication of Bi₂Te₃ thin films via magnetron sputtering, focusing on how process parameters, post-treatment, and doping affect microstructure, stoichiometry, and thermoelectric properties. The aim is to elucidate structure-performance correlations and guide the optimized preparation of high-performance films. Full article

The genus Bacillus is widely recognized for its metabolic versatility, enabling it to colonize extreme environments, including sites contaminated with metals. In this study, we report the genome of B. velezensis strain HM1, isolated from sulfur-rich mine tailings from silver mining activities in southwestern Mexico. Isolation was performed by heat treatment followed by selective cultivation in a medium enriched with mine tailings extract (metals and sulfates), resulting in a single dominant morphotype corresponding to strain HM1. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out using the Illumina NovaSeq platform (2 × 250 bp). The assembled genome of strain HM1 has a size of 4,044,128 bp, distributed across 20 contigs, with an N50 of 700,388 bp and an L50 of 3, and an average coverage of 66.8×. The GC content was 46.31%, with an estimated completeness of 99.81% and contamination of 0.01%. Genome analyses indicate that the assembly corresponds to a single chromosome, with no evidence of plasmid replicons. Genome annotation identified 3950 coding sequences (CDSs), 83 tRNAs, 11 rRNAs, 26 ncRNAs, and 4 sORFs. Phylogenomic analysis, together with genomic similarity metrics (ANI > 98.6%, AAI > 98.8%, dDDH > 87%), confirms its classification as Bacillus velezensis. Functionally, the genome encodes multiple genes involved in resistance to metals and metalloids (including ABC transporters, efflux pumps, and biotransformation enzymes), as well as a complete pathway for sulfate assimilation. Collectively, these genomic features reveal a broad repertoire of adaptive strategies employed by strain HM1 to thrive in metal-contaminated environments. Full article

High internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized with biopolymer-based particles have sparked widespread interest due to their excellent stability and potential as fat replacements in food systems. In this study, soy protein isolate (SPI) and sodium alginate (SA) were mixed to create composite colloidal particles capable of stabilizing HIPEs with an oil phase percentage of 80%. SA significantly regulated the particle size and surface hydrophobicity of the composite particles. The optimal formulation with 1.0% SA presented a uniform particle size and desirable interfacial properties. The contact angle increased from 62.3° for pure SPI to 80.8°, which effectively improved the wettability at the oil–water interface. The interfacial protein adsorption reached a maximum of 83.7%, enabling adequate coverage of oil droplets. Low-field NMR demonstrated an increase in bound water (T₂₂) from 21.893 to 30.031 (a.u.), while CLSM images confirmed the formation of compact interfacial layers. The HIPEs possessed excellent stability against heat treatment (100 °C), freeze–thaw cycling (3 cycles), high ionic strength (up to 0.6 M NaCl), and ambient storage for 30 days. These findings demonstrate that SPI-SA complexes are excellent natural stabilizers for fabricating robust, environmentally friendly HIPEs with broad prospects for functional food applications. Full article

Background: TV-44749 is a subcutaneous (sc) long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation of olanzapine that recently demonstrated efficacy and safety as a treatment for schizophrenia in adults without the occurrence of post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS) in the phase 3 SOLARIS trial (NCT05693935). TV-44749’s sc route of administration and formulation were designed to provide prolonged olanzapine release over a monthly dosing interval and to avoid the risk of post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS). It was designed as a copolymer in situ-forming depot technology to provide a LAI formulation that could withstand physiological and environmental factors that could affect controlled-release kinetics. Methods: To evaluate the robustness of the TV-44749 formulation, an in vitro release (IVR) study in human plasma was conducted, comparing TV-44749 to the commercially available intramuscular (im) long-acting injection formulation of olanzapine pamoate monohydrate. In addition, in vivo studies in rats were conducted to assess the effect of injection site manipulation following TV-44749 sc injection on olanzapine release from the depot. Results: The IVR study showed that upon contact with human plasma, copolymers comprising TV-44749 formulation instantly precipitate and form a solid matrix that entraps olanzapine particles. This prevents an uncontrolled release of olanzapine. Additionally, in vivo rat studies found that manipulation of the injection site after TV-44749 administration, by either heating or rubbing at different time-points, resulted in no meaningful effect on overall olanzapine exposure. Conclusions: The presented findings support the robustness of the TV-44749 formulation in maintaining controlled-release properties, even under conditions that could otherwise compromise release performance. Full article

(1) Background: Variations in bean temperature before grinding are a little-studied factor, but they can potentially influence the characteristics of the resulting powder and the chemical and physical properties of the espresso beverage. This study investigated the effect of two heat treatments, heating and cooling, applied to coffee beans immediately before grinding. (2) Methods: The analyses focused on powder particle size distribution (laser diffraction), impact on the operation of the coffee grinder (noise and electrical absorption), chemical-physical properties of the beverage, caffeine and chlorogenic acid content (HPLC-DAD) and profile of volatile organic compounds (HS-SPME-GC-MS). (3) Results: Heating induced a decrease in the content of caffeine and chlorogenic acids and a change in the aromatic profile consistent with phenomena like accelerated aging (increase in hexanal). Cooling treatment had similar, but less pronounced, effects, although it reduced caffeine extraction and some aromatic compounds. (4) Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the temperature of the coffee beans prior to grinding is a key factor to consider in terms of the particle size distribution of the resulting coffee grounds, as well as the content of bioactive compounds and volatile organic compounds, which can significantly influence various aspects of the final espresso’s quality. Full article