Search Results (2,408)

The incorporation of lipophilic bioactive compounds into aqueous food matrices requires delivery systems capable of improving their dispersion and storage stability. This study developed oil-in-water emulsions containing β-carotene-rich sunflower oil extracted from Dunaliella salina, using a commercial blue Spirulina extract as a bio-based emulsifier. The Spirulina extract concentration was initially screened from 0.5 to 3 wt.%, and the processing conditions were subsequently optimized through a central composite design and response surface methodology. The systems were characterized in terms of droplet size distribution, physical stability, apparent encapsulation efficiency, microstructure, and β-carotene retention at 4 and 25 °C. A Spirulina concentration of 2.5 wt.% produced the smallest droplet size during the preliminary screening, whereas 3 wt.% resulted in larger droplets and broader distributions. The optimized formulation exhibited a D_3,2 of 0.680 µm, an apparent encapsulation efficiency of 91.4 ± 2.1%, and a Turbiscan Stability Index of approximately 4.8 after 30 days. β-Carotene retention after 30 days was 68.5% at 25 °C and 91.3% at 4 °C, compared with 41.8% and 80.7%, respectively, in the non-emulsified oil. These results support the potential of Spirulina-stabilized emulsions as sustainable carriers for carotenoid-enriched food products. Full article

Artificial ice specimens with controllable particle characteristics and reliable mechanical properties are essential for ice mechanics research, polar engineering, and low-temperature technologies such as ice particle jet applications. Conventional crushed-ice and sieving methods are generally time-consuming and may cause particle melting, adhesion, and poor size uniformity. In this study, an efficient ice particle preparation process based on droplet atomization and rapid phase transition was proposed and validated. Nearly spherical ice particles with a size range of 100–300 μm and an average diameter of 166 μm were produced, and artificial ice specimens with densities of 903–912 kg·m⁻³ were fabricated. The preparation efficiency reached 2.16 kg·min⁻¹. Mechanical tests showed that, as temperature decreased from −5 °C to −45 °C, the uniaxial compressive strength increased from 2.18 MPa to 6.49 MPa, while the flexural strength increased from 0.955 MPa to 3.925 MPa. Within the investigated low-loading-rate range, no clear monotonic relationship was observed between loading rate and strength. Creep tests indicated that lower temperatures inhibited time-dependent deformation, whereas higher stresses accelerated creep development. Overall, the proposed process provides an efficient and reproducible method for preparing artificial ice specimens for ice mechanics and cryogenic engineering studies. Full article

Vector-borne diseases remain a public health concern, and ultra-low-volume (ULV) systems generate adulticide droplets that must remain airborne long enough to contact flying mosquitoes. Accurate droplet and aerosol size characterization is essential for equipment calibration, interpretation of efficacy studies, and evaluation of the airborne fraction relevant to spray transport. This study evaluated complementary nozzle-level and downstream airborne measurements under controlled chamber conditions using a DC-IV droplet counter, TSI APS 3321, and GRIMM MiniWRAS 1.371. Mineral oil and kerosene were atomized at 1.0 to 10.5 bar and 0.20 to 1.00 mL/min. Mass median diameter (MMD), count median diameter (CMD), regression relationships, and size distributions were evaluated. Four MMD calculation methods were also assessed, including Hatch–Choate conversion and a Volume-Based method. For mineral oil, DC-IV reported a mean MMD of 30.78 µm, compared with 4.88 µm for APS and 3.15 µm for MiniWRAS. For kerosene, differences narrowed to 6.21, 6.45, and 4.09 µm, respectively. Hatch–Choate estimates were unstable when lognormal assumptions were violated, whereas the Volume-Based method reproduced reported APS and MiniWRAS MMD values within ±1%. These findings support continued DC-IV use for nozzle calibration and indicate that APS and MiniWRAS can provide complementary real-time characterization of the downstream airborne spray aerosols. Full article

The production of polymeric nanoparticles using microfluidic systems holds great potential for controlled drug delivery applications. In this study, the effects of flow parameters and surfactant properties on the characteristics of PLGA (Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticles were systematically investigated. First, the total flow rate (TFR) and flow rate ratio (FRR) were optimized to ensure stable droplet formation. Subsequently, the effects of different surfactant types (anionic, cationic, and nonionic) and their varying concentrations were evaluated. Using the selected parameters, capsaicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were successfully produced. The particles were prepared using a microfluidic platform, and the organic phase was subsequently removed via solvent evaporation. The resulting formulations were comprehensively characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency (%EE). Additionally, the in vitro release profiles and cytotoxicity of capsaicin-loaded nanoparticles were evaluated. This study aimed to elucidate the decisive role of surfactant parameters in the microfluidic production of PLGA nanoparticles and to contribute to the development of optimized and reproducible formulations. Full article

Marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds strongly influence radiation and precipitation over the Southern Ocean (SO), yet their vertical structures and microphysical properties remain poorly constrained across observational platforms. This study compares macrophysical and microphysical properties of single-layer, liquid-dominant MBL clouds below 3 km using aircraft observations from the SO Clouds, Radiation, Aerosol Transport Experimental Study (SOCRATES), ship-based observations from Measurements of Aerosols, Radiation, and Clouds over the SO (MARCUS), and satellite observations from CloudSat. An empirical reflectivity–microphysics retrieval framework developed from in situ droplet size distributions (DSDs) measured during SOCRATES was applied to MARCUS M-WACR and CloudSat CPR reflectivity observations to retrieve vertical profiles of number concentration (N), effective radius (r_e), and liquid water content (LWC) for cloud and drizzle particles. Cloud boundary heights and retrieved microphysical properties show broad agreement across the three platforms within the limitations imposed by instrumental sensitivity, sampling differences, and retrieval uncertainties. However, CloudSat CPR observations exhibit larger deviations because of their coarser vertical resolution and lower reflectivity sensitivity, including limited detection of low clouds below ~500 m. The observed vertical structures are consistent with condensational growth, entrainment, and collision–coalescence processes. Overall, the results demonstrate broad consistency in cloud and drizzle properties across the three platforms, while highlighting the impacts of instrumental sensitivity, vertical resolution, and sampling differences on cloud boundary detection and microphysical retrievals. Full article

FeNi50 powder production for metallic magnetic cores faces challenges including low fine-powder yield and defects like hollow particles. This study employed cyclone atomization to prepare FeNi50 powder and systematically examined the effects of atomization pressure (1–6 MPa) through combined simulation, experiment, and theoretical analysis. Results show that increasing pressure reduces the average particle size (D50) from 80.7 μm to 27.9 μm and raises the fine powder yield (−500 mesh) from 19.4% to 50.0%, far exceeding that of close-coupled nozzle atomization (<10%). The powder particles are spherical/near-spherical with dense, non-hollow interiors. Higher pressure also increases the cooling rate, which blurs surface grain boundaries, refines grain structure, and induces single-crystal or amorphous characteristics in particles < 15 μm while suppressing N and O absorption. X-ray diffraction confirms the phase composition remains unchanged. These evolutions originate from three synergistic mechanisms: competition between solidification and spheroidization times, centrifugal and Magnus forces from swirling flow, and plastic-state droplet deformation imparting specific surface roughness. Cyclone atomization therefore proves a promising method for producing high-quality FeNi50 powder, suitable for large-scale manufacturing of high-performance magnetic powder cores. Full article

Under high-temperature and high-salinity drilling conditions, maintaining the stability of water-in-oil emulsions is critical for oil-based drilling fluids, while the roles of auxiliary emulsifiers with different ionic characteristics remain unclear. In this study, Span 80 was used as the primary emulsifier, and nonionic OP-4, anionic SDBS, zwitterionic EAB40, and cationic CTAB were introduced as auxiliary emulsifiers to construct blended emulsifier systems. The HLB value was controlled at 5.2–5.4, and the total emulsifier concentration was fixed at 6.0 wt%. The effects of auxiliary emulsifier type on interfacial tension, rheological behavior, electrical stability, droplet morphology, and thermal stability were systematically investigated. The Span80/OP-4 system exhibited the lowest interfacial tension, smallest droplet size, and best overall emulsion stability. In contrast, the Span80/SDBS system showed poor electrical stability due to weakened effective interfacial adsorption in Ca²⁺ brine. After aging at 120 °C, EAB40 promoted interfacial rearrangement, whereas CTAB weakened interfacial order. Further verification in 1.50 g/cm³ weighted oil-based drilling fluids showed that the Span80/OP-4 system maintained high electrical stability, low HTHP filtrate volume, and good sedimentation stability after aging at 140 °C. Full article

Fat deposition determines beef marbling grade and meat quality, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of bovine PPARD in lipid deposition, especially its effect on the expression of fatty acid transport genes (CD36, FATP1, and FABP1) and the lipid droplet-associated gene (PLIN2) in liver tissues from cattle with different marbling grades. The mRNA abundance and protein levels in liver tissues from thirty-one Wagyu × Angus crossbred beef cattle (25–26 months old) with different marbling grades (according to GB/T 29392-2022, based on the marbling richness of the longissimus dorsi muscle at the 12th–13th rib interface) were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Additionally, PPARD was knocked down and overexpressed in bovine mammary epithelial cells to validate its effects on lipid-metabolism-related genes. The results showed that the mRNA levels of CD36, FATP1, PPARD, RXRA, RXRB, and PLIN2 were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in livers tissues from the A3 and A4 groups (high marbling) than in those from the A1 and A2 groups (low to moderate marbling). Western blot analysis revealed significantly higher PPARD protein expression in the A3 and A4 groups (high marbling) than that in the A1 and A2 groups (low to moderate marbling) (p < 0.05). It should be noted that the sample size of Group A4 is only 2, and the results of this group should be considered as a preliminary trend that needs to be validated with larger sample sizes. Cellular experiments confirmed that PPARD knockdown significantly decreased mRNA expressions of FABP1, CD36, and PLIN2 (p < 0.01), while PPARD overexpression significantly increased their mRNA levels (p < 0.05). These results indicate a positive correlation between PPARD expression and the transcriptional levels of genes involved in fatty acid transport and lipid droplet storage, suggesting that PPARD may be associated with hepatic lipid metabolism and potentially contribute to marbling development. These findings suggest that the PPARD signaling pathway contributes to hepatic lipid deposition and may play a role in marbling formation in beef cattle. Full article

Cod liver oil is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) but is highly susceptible to oxidative degradation, limiting its use in topical formulations. This study aimed to develop stable cod liver oil nanoemulsions for topical application and to evaluated the influence of surfactant ratio (lecithin/PEG-15 hydroxystearate: 2.5:1 and 1:1, w/w), emulsification method (ultrasonication or high-pressure homogenization), and vitamin E acetate supplementation on their physicochemical properties and oxidative stability. Eight nanoemulsions were characterized in terms of droplet size, polydispersity, ζ-potential, vitamin E acetate encapsulation efficiency, oxidative stability, film-forming capacity and cytocompatibility. Among the investigated formulations, F4 (2.5:1 lecithin/PEG-15 hydroxystearate, high-pressure homogenization, with vitamin E acetate) exhibited the most favorable characteristics, including a mean droplet size of 67.95 nm, ζ-potential of −63.12 mV and vitamin E acetate encapsulation efficiency of 32.59%. The formulation demonstrated good physicochemical stability under thermal, mechanical and photostability testing, improved oxidative stability, transient film-forming behavior with an initial occlusive effect, and no cytotoxicity toward human dermal fibroblasts. These findings indicate that nanoemulsion performance depends on the combined influence of formulation composition and processing conditions, with F4 representing a promising topical carrier for cod liver oil intended for interaction with the stratum corneum. Full article

In professional water polo, understanding the effects of ball wettability on game dynamics is essential but remains insufficiently investigated. This research aims to evaluate how the surface wettability of various professional water polo balls could influence their behavior during play. The study employed a combination of laboratory measurements to assess the wettability of multiple ball brands using the sessile drop method under standardized conditions. FTIR spectroscopy was also performed to characterize the surface chemical composition and support the interpretation of wettability differences observed in contact angle measurements. Performance-related parameters, including static contact angle values and droplet behavior during measurement, were analyzed in relation to surface chemistry and material composition. Significant variability in wettability was observed across different ball brands. These differences indicate that surface properties may play an important role in modulating ball–water interaction mechanisms, which are influenced by both chemical composition and surface morphology. Based on these results, we propose including wettability-related parameters in the official water polo equipment guidelines, which currently cover only size, weight, and material composition. This adjustment could help standardize ball behavior across competitive play, leading to more consistent and fair conditions. This study extends current knowledge of the physical factors influencing sports performance and suggests practical improvements to enhance fairness and quality in water polo competitions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acorus tatarinowii Schott volatile oil (ATVO), a bioactive component of traditional Chinese medicine, is susceptible to light-induced oxidation and compositional changes. This study aimed to develop a chitosan-modified Saigae Tataricae Cornu particle (MSTC)-stabilized Pickering emulsion (PE) to improve the light-oxidative stability and in vivo disposition of ATVO. Methods: Saigae Tataricae Cornu particles were modified with chitosan and used to prepare an oil-in-water PE encapsulating ATVO. Particle wettability, morphology, structural interactions, emulsion type, interfacial distribution, droplet size, and zeta potential were characterized. The light-oxidative stability of ATVO was evaluated under light using peroxide value, malondialdehyde content, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The pharmacokinetic behavior of α-asarone and β-asarone was further investigated in rats. Results: Chitosan modification increased the contact angle of Saigae Tataricae Cornu particles from 65.37° to 83.23°, indicating improved wettability and interfacial affinity. The resulting PE showed good physical stability, with a droplet size of 2.51 μm and a zeta potential of +32.00 mV. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed that MSTC particles adsorbed at the oil–water interface and encapsulated ATVO within the oil droplets. Compared with free ATVO and the physical mixture, the PE reduced peroxide and malondialdehyde formation, slowed light-induced changes in volatile components, and better preserved major bioactive constituents. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to t (AUC_0–t) and maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of α-asarone increased by 2.02- and 2.47-fold, respectively, whereas the effect on β-asarone was relatively limited. Conclusions: MSTC-stabilized PE provides an effective interfacial-barrier strategy for protecting ATVO against light-oxidative deterioration. This study highlights the potential of modified natural medicinal particles as green stabilizers for improving the stability, quality consistency, and delivery performance of volatile-oil-containing traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Full article

Background: Oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) represent versatile platforms for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds and find a wide range of applications in different fields such as food, cosmetics, agriculture, pharmaceutics, and oil and gas industries. Various methodologies can be applied for the preparation of NEs as low-energy and high-energy methods. Among them, high-energy ultrasonication (HEU) is a popular technique in research laboratories or small manufacturing facilities. However, a clear gap remains in understanding how, and to what extent, experimental parameters and the chemical and physical characteristics of the components affect the formation and properties of NEs through HEU. Methods: In this work, a comprehensive screening of factors (oil viscosity and density, surfactant type, processing parameters, and formulation composition) affecting NEs formation and quality was performed and an artificial neural network (ANN) was applied to determine the relative relevance of each parameter. Results: Oil viscosity revealed to be the primary factor affecting droplet size (Z_avg) and polydispersity index (PDI), with high-viscosity oils leading to poor emulsification into nanosized droplets. Higher processing temperatures improved NE formation by reducing viscosity during sonication. Ultrasound amplitude and pulse mode influenced NE characteristics, particularly under challenging conditions. Surfactant type and oil content had, instead, minor effects on the NEs’ features. ANN modelling accurately predicted NEs’ properties and identified critical viscosity limits for successful nanosized emulsification (Z_avg < 300 nm and PDI < 0.4). Conclusions: These findings provide a predictive basis for rational NE design under HEU, serving as a guide for researchers working in different fields. Full article

The synergistic co-production of ceramic fibers from fly ash and coal gangue offers a promising path for their high-value utilization. However, research in this area remains limited, hindering its broader application. This study employs numerical simulations to assess the influence of high-wheel rotational speed and melt temperature on the mass of inter-wheel melt transfer, as well as their effects on ligament size and slag-ball fraction. The results show that the high wheel, responsible for melt pre-fragmentation and transfer, plays a crucial role in determining the mass of inter-wheel melt transfer and controlling ligament dimensions. In contrast, the low wheel does not directly affect ligament size but aids in transforming pre-fragmented droplets into ligaments and modulates their dispersion. Melt temperature impacts both transfer mass and ligament size by modifying melt properties. The slag-ball fraction increases with the melt temperature and decreases with the high-wheel speed, while the low-wheel speed has a negligible effect. Under the optimal operating conditions of a melt temperature of 1745 °C and equal rotational speeds of 10,000 rpm for both the high and low wheels, a ligament structure with a relatively concentrated size distribution is obtained, with the slag-ball fraction effectively controlled within the range of 8–13%. Full article

Supercooled large droplets (SLDs), typically defined as droplets with diameters exceeding 100 μm, represent a significant meteorological hazard to aviation safety. Unlike conventional cloud-sized droplets, SLDs have higher inertia and can follow more ballistic trajectories, leading to impingement well aft of leading-edge ice protection systems. SLD icing is further complicated by high-speed splashing, secondary-droplet re-impingement, delayed solidification, and surface water runback. This paper reviews recent progress in understanding SLD impact, splashing, surface water transport, and ice accretion. The review discusses droplet impact on dry and wet surfaces, oblique impingement, ambient-air effects, non-instantaneous solidification, runback dynamics, and downstream ice growth. Emerging ice protection technologies, including superhydrophobic, lubricant-infused, and compliant surfaces, are also evaluated. By synthesizing these developments, this review connects fundamental droplet-impact physics with practical aviation icing challenges and mitigation strategies. Full article

Nanobubbles have attracted increasing interest in food systems because they can modify gas dispersion, interfacial transport, washing performance, preservation processes, and the structures of dispersed matrices. However, their behavior cannot be interpreted based on bubble size alone. Proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, salts, colloidal particles, gas composition, and processing conditions can alter interfacial adsorption, gas transfer, bubble persistence, and matrix organization in food systems. This review examines the physicochemical mechanisms proposed to explain nanobubble persistence and functionality, with an emphasis on surface charge, interfacial adsorption, gas supersaturation, confinement, and interactions with food biopolymers. A central distinction is made between passive nanobubble-containing systems and externally activated systems involving hydrodynamic cavitation, ultrasound, plasma, pressure fluctuations, and reactive gases. Under passive conditions, nanobubbles mainly act as gas–liquid interfaces that influence local transport and adsorption. In activated systems, microbial inactivation, reactive oxygen species formation, and apparent mass-transfer enhancement often arise from external energy input, gas chemistry, turbulence, and transient supersaturation rather than from nanobubbles alone. Interfacial stability is used here as an organizing concept to connect nanobubble persistence, food-matrix interactions, generation methods, characterization limitations, and interpretation of reported technological effects. Current methods, such as dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, provide useful size and concentration estimates but cannot unambiguously distinguish nanobubbles from protein aggregates, fat droplets, micelles, polysaccharide assemblies, and other colloidal structures in complex matrices. Therefore, reliable interpretation requires complementary methods, appropriate controls, and standardized reporting of gas composition, generation method, energy input, matrix properties, and processing conditions. Thus, nanobubble-containing technologies show promise for food processing; however, their value depends on the separation of nanoscale interfacial effects from concurrent hydrodynamic, chemical, and matrix-dependent phenomena. Full article