Search Results (1,709)

The growing demand for clean-label foods has stimulated interest in minimally processed ingredients capable of improving the nutritional and technological quality of gluten-free bakery products. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an underutilized Mediterranean crop whose seeds are mainly used for locust bean gum production, while other fractions of the fruit remain insufficiently valorized. This study investigated the potential of carob seed flour (CSF) and the whole carob fruit flour (pods and seeds; CSPF) as natural structuring ingredients in gluten-free flatbread (GFFB), combined with sourdough fermentation. The initial technological properties (pasting profile, baking loss, specific volume, color, and texture profile) and nutritional composition were evaluated, alongside storage stability, through textural and sensory changes during 72 h. The incorporation of carob ingredients improved the nutritional profile of GFFB, nearly doubling total dietary fiber and iron content without compromising sensory acceptance. CSF use resulted in an improved pasting profile and a 50% softer crumb structure. Sourdough fermentation successfully mitigated the increased hardness and lower sensory freshness perception in CSPF formulations. Carob seed flour, as well as whole carob fruit flour combined with sourdough, represent effective natural strategies for improving the technological properties, nutritional quality, texture profile, and freshness perception of gluten-free flatbread without compromising sensory acceptability. Full article

This paper presents an absolute distance measurement system based on three-wavelength synchronous phase-shifting interferometry. A synthetic wavelength chain is established using three semiconductor lasers in an all-fiber Fizeau interferometer. By integrating a piezoelectric transducer (PZT)-driven sinusoidal phase modulation with multi-channel synchronous sampling for phase demodulation, and further combining it with a fractional multiplication method, the proposed system achieves high-precision absolute distance measurement over an extended range. Experimental results demonstrate an unambiguous measurement range of 240 μm, a static measurement precision better than 0.6 nm, and a dynamic displacement measurement accuracy superior to 2 nm in comparison with the reference device. The main error sources of the system, including synthetic wavelength uncertainty, phase measurement uncertainty, and air refractive index uncertainty, are systematically modeled and analyzed. In addition, the influence of dynamic factors, such as PZT nonlinearity, is discussed and compensated. The proposed method provides a robust and high-precision solution for absolute ranging and shows strong potential for applications in industrial precision inspection and optical sensing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Goupi plaster (GP) is a traditional black plaster composed of a biphasic fibrous–oil matrix containing multiple bioactive compounds, and it has been widely used for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Representative active compounds include sinomenine, osthole, cinnamaldehyde, and imperatorin, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. However, due to its heterogeneous matrix structure and multi-component nature, the pharmaceutical delivery behavior of GP remains difficult to evaluate using conventional methods. Therefore, this study aimed to establish an integrated structure–release–permeation–pharmacokinetic evaluation framework to systematically characterize the transdermal delivery behavior of GP. Methods: GP was evaluated using multi-level analysis, including microstructural imaging (FESEM), in vitro release, ex vivo skin permeation, and in vivo dual-site microdialysis. Four representative bioactive compounds (sinomenine, osthole, cinnamaldehyde, and imperatorin) were selected as marker compounds. Release data were fitted to kinetic models, and structure–release relationships were examined using the Higuchi release constant (k_h). Skin-barrier alterations were assessed by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Local concentrations in subcutaneous (SC) and intra-articular (IA) compartments were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) to explore potential in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC). Results: FESEM revealed a fibrous–oil network structure. GP exhibited sustained, diffusion-dominated release, with k_h = 0.9908–0.9977 and Korsmeyer–Peppas (K–P) release exponents (n) = 0.61–0.66, differing from active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) controls. Fiber area fraction and fiber length density showed negative correlations with k_h (r = −0.91 to −0.99); ex vivo permeation profiles varied among compounds, and ATR–FTIR and DSC analyses showed moderate changes in skin-barrier properties. Dual-site microdialysis demonstrated sustained local exposure, and a positive relationship was observed between in vitro release and in vivo concentrations. Conclusions: This study establishes an integrated structure–release–permeation–pharmacokinetic evaluation framework for traditional black plaster systems. The observed IVIVC is descriptive rather than predictive, reflecting a trend-level association under the current experimental conditions. These findings highlight the importance of integrating in vitro release, skin permeation, and local pharmacokinetics for understanding drug delivery behavior in complex transdermal matrix systems, and provide a methodological basis for quality consistency evaluation of traditional black plaster formulations. Full article

Novel ingredients from rowanberry pomace were developed for French-type bread applications via supercritical CO₂ extraction and the enzymatic and ultrasound treatment of the defatted residue (DFR), which contained 6.367% of proteins, 8.36% of soluble, and 43.04% insoluble fiber. Proteolytic enzymes from Bacillus licheniformis and Aspergillus oryzae, and cellulolytic enzyme mixtures Viscozyme L and Celuclast, were used to increase the soluble fraction. Treating DFR with enzymes generated significant amounts of soluble substances containing oligosaccharides, fructose, and glucose, with Viscozyme L being more effective than proteases. Tri-, and tetrapeptides, chlorogenic acids, and dihydroxy coumarins were also present in the soluble extracts of fermented DFR. The antioxidant characteristics of treated DFR were evaluated by the in vitro assays. Substitution of >5% of wheat flour with untreated DFR significantly reduced bread volume and crumb porosity; however, these adverse effects were mitigated by using fermented DFR. The highest bread volume (1845 cm³) and porosity (78.38%) were observed in bread containing 5% pomace that underwent enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound treatment. The substitution of flour with DFR significantly increased the antioxidant characteristics of bread samples and the substances generated during the in vitro digestion. It may be concluded that rowanberry pomace ingredients may improve bread nutritional quality and assist in the sustainable use of fruit processing by-products. Full article

The global expansion of wind energy increases the need for sustainable recycling strategies for glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) from end-of-life wind turbine blades (WTB). Mechanical recycling is currently the most economically and ecologically viable technology. This study compares post-industrial (PI) waste from laminate cutoffs and post-consumer (PC) GFRP waste from end-of-life WTBs to investigate the influence of waste origin, pretreatment of shredded GFRP, different particle sizes and various matrix formulations on the tensile modulus and tensile strength of pressed bulk molding compounds produced with virgin epoxy resin. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a fiber content of up to 70 wt.%, but the resin residues on the embedded glass fibers dimmish a sufficient bonding of the new matrix system. Finer GFRP fractions consistently yielded higher tensile modulus and strength, with PI and pretreated PC materials performing best. The findings of this study demonstrate that controlled particle size distribution, impurity removal and optimized resin viscosity are key factors to achieve reliable mechanical performance and enable high-value recycling routes for glass fiber composite waste. Full article

This paper studies a two-stage oxygen-alkaline treatment and subsequent bleaching of softwood sulfate pulp obtained from healthy and deadwood of spruce and larch. Delignification was carried out at elevated temperature and pressure in an alkaline medium with the addition of hydrogen peroxide, after which the pulp was subjected to classic ECF cycles with chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide and, if necessary, elemental chlorine. The selected and washed mass was ground to a specified degree of grinding and formed into laboratory sheets of standard density on a sheet-forming apparatus. The results showed that oxygen-alkaline pretreatment significantly reduces the residual lignin content, and subsequent bleaching cycles make it possible to obtain high-brightness pulp with minimal losses of cellulose and viscosity. The structural, morphological and mechanical characteristics of the obtained samples were studied. After a full bleaching cycle, the fibers become slightly shorter and thinner, their surface is leveled, the proportion of small fractions decreases, and the homogeneity of the structure improves. The resulting cellulose samples demonstrate mechanical characteristics that meet industrial requirements for high-quality printing and thin-layer paper grades. Full article

Studies have shown that dietary fibers have many health benefits. Soluble dietary fibers (SDF) extracted from wheat, corn, rice, or several herbaceous plants have been shown to have either pro- or anti-inflammatory effects depending on the mode of preparation of the fibers, the fibers’ structures and the biological or cellular context. However, much less is known regarding the immunomodulatory properties of dry bean-derived SDF. The goal of this study was to fill this gap in knowledge. Using RAW 264.7 macrophages, we show that dry bean-derived SDF stimulated the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. We show that these changes were partly dependent on toll-like receptor TLR-4 signaling. More importantly, we observed that the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly lower when the SDF were extracted from heat-processed bean flour. Overall, our results demonstrate that dry bean-derived SDF-rich fractions modulate macrophage activation in vitro, promoting a pro-inflammatory response that is partially mediated by TLR-4 signaling. Full article

Wheat processing generates large volumes of co-products, particularly wheat bran (WB) and wheat germ (WG), which remain underutilized despite their high content of dietary fiber, phenolic compounds, bioactive peptides, and lipophilic antioxidants. Although their composition and processing have been widely investigated, an integrated and application-oriented evaluation of these fractions remains limited. This review provides a structured and critical analysis of WB, raw and defatted WG, and wheat germ oil (WGO), linking composition, processing strategies, and functional performance within a unified framework. Conventional and emerging technologies, including enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, thermomechanical treatments, and supercritical CO₂ extraction, are discussed in terms of selectivity, impact on techno-functional properties, and scalability. An evidence-grading approach is introduced to distinguish bioactivities supported by chemical assays, cell-based models, animal studies, or human data, enabling a more rigorous interpretation of health-related effects. Across applications, these co-products have been incorporated into food systems and related sectors, primarily showing improvements in nutritional composition, oxidative stability, and product performance under experimental conditions. However, translation to an industrial scale remains constrained by techno-economic limitations, regulatory requirements, and stability challenges. This work highlights the need for integrated processing strategies aligned with industrial feasibility to support the development of sustainable cereal biorefineries. Full article

The field experiment was conducted in 2016–2018 at the Department of Agronomy of the Poznań University of Life Sciences on the fields of the Research and Education Centre in Gorzyń, Złotniki branch. It was a single-factor experiment with six sowing dates of an ultra-early maize variety: A1—12 April, A2—26 April, A3—10 May, A4—24 May, A5—7 June, and A6—21 June. Seeds of the maize variety ‘Pyroxenia’ were used in the experiment. This variety is characterized by extremely early maturity (FAO 130), rapid initial development and elongation growth. Delaying the maize sowing date from A1 to A2 resulted in a 16.5% reduction in starch content in the silage dry matter, and a 14.6% increase in the ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) fiber fraction. The difference in milk production per hectare between maize sown on date A1 and date A6 was 14,189.51 kg/ha, representing 97.1%. Delaying the maize sowing date led to an increase in the abundance of Clostridium spp. in silages, which are responsible for increased losses of dry matter, including starch. No butyric acid was detected in the silages as a final product of butyric fermentation. The low abundance of bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae in the silages indicated that they were well prepared. Silages prepared from maize sown at later dates were characterized by a higher abundance of undesirable mold fungi, which are responsible for dry matter losses, including starch. The coefficient of determination showed that 38.54% of the variation in silage starch content was explained by variation in mold abundance in the silage. According to the Flieg–Zimmer scale, all silages received a very good rating, regardless of maize sowing date. Full article

Background/Objectives: We developed a telehealth-enabled fiber-bundle endomicroscopy platform and evaluated its preclinical feasibility for targeted fluorescence imaging in cervical cancer models. Methods: The platform integrates a portable fiber-bundle endomicroscopy (FBE) system, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled candidate peptides, and a secure web-based telehealth platform for remote consultation. The FBE probe achieved a field of view of 1,700 µm and a lateral resolution of 4 µm, enabling cellular-level fluorescence imaging in a compact, portable format. Four FITC-labeled peptides (SHS1*, SHS2*, FPP*, and CRL*) were evaluated in A549, SiHa, and CaSki cell lines. Ex vivo testing was performed on commercial cervical tissue-array samples. The telehealth platform was assessed for secure medical-image/video transmission and end-to-end latency in a simulated remote-consultation setting. Results: Among the tested probes, FPP*-FITC and CRL*-FITC showed higher fluorescence-positive fractions in the p16-overexpressing cervical cancer cell lines than in the A549 comparator line, with the strongest signals observed in CaSki cells. In ex vivo testing, CRL*-FITC generated higher fluorescence intensity in malignant cervical tissue-array samples than in non-malignant comparator tissues, with a reported 4.6- to 7.4-fold difference in mean signal intensity (p < 0.001). The telehealth platform supported the secure transmission of medical images and video and demonstrated an end-to-end latency of <500 ms in a simulated remote consultation setting. Conclusions: These results support the technical and preclinical feasibility of integrating targeted fluorescence imaging, portable fiber-bundle endomicroscopy, and telehealth into a single platform. This study should therefore be interpreted as a preclinical feasibility study evaluating optical, molecular, and telehealth integration, rather than as a clinically validated cervical cancer screening test. Full article

This work presents a comparative study of micro- and nano-scale fillers in liquid composite molding processes, focusing on how particle size and morphology affect resin rheology, flow behavior, and filler filtration within fiber preforms. Glass microspheres and organo-modified montmorillonite were dispersed in epoxy resin and injected through glass-mat preforms at different fiber volume fractions (ranging from 0.27 to 0.47). Our study integrates rheological characterization, in situ flow-front tracking, unsaturated permeability analysis, thermogravimetric quantification of retained particles, and microstructural observations by SEM. Despite their smaller loading, nanoclay suspensions showed a markedly higher viscosity increase than microsphere systems, yet their permeability remained nearly unchanged. In contrast, microsphere-filled resins exhibited strong filtration at the flow inlet, density-driven settling near the lower tool face, and significant permeability loss. The results demonstrate that nano-fillers, although more viscous, maintain homogeneous distribution and flow continuity, whereas micro-fillers promote cake formation and local compaction. This controlled side-by-side comparison clarifies how filler size and shape govern filtration mechanisms in liquid composite molding (LCM), providing design guidelines for processing filled resin systems without compromising part quality. Full article

Ruminants significantly contribute to global methane (CH₄) emissions, necessitating the development of dietary mitigation strategies. This study evaluated five Bangladeshi seaweeds (brown, red, and green types) from Saint Martin Island for their anti-methanogenic potential through phenotypic identification, proximate analysis, and in vitro fermentation assessment. Significant interspecies variation was (p < 0.001) observed in dry matter (DM: 82.1–99.9%), acid detergent fiber (ADF: 17.4–24.9%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF: 29.6–43.6%), and dry matter degradability (DMD: 43.9–58.7%), while crude protein (CP) remained consistent (p = 0.574). After 48 h of fermentation, total gas (1.3–22.1 mL/g DM) and CH₄ yield (0.04–1.6 mL/g DM) varied markedly (p < 0.01). DMD was strongly correlated with total gas and CH₄ production. Crucially, both ADF and NDF showed a positive correlation with total gas and CH₄ production. However, NDF displayed a weak positive correlation with DMD. These findings suggest atypical fiber fraction dynamics, contrasting with terrestrial forages. Supplementation effects of two red seaweeds, SW-4 (Gracilaria parvispora) and SW-5 (Asparagopsis taxiformis), on Napier grass were assessed at 5% and 10% inclusion levels. SW-5 reduced CH₄ by 52.7% when co-fermented with Napier grass at a 10% inclusion level for 48 h, whereas SW-4 showed no significant effect. These results highlight SW-5 as a promising dietary supplement to reduce enteric CH₄ in ruminants, suggesting further in vivo validation for optimal use. Full article

Steel processing requires energy-efficient heat-treatment routes without compromising material performance. Traditional annealing furnaces used for low-carbon (LC) steels are energy-intensive and major contributors to CO₂ emissions, creating a need for sustainable alternatives. This study evaluates continuous electric furnace (CEF) annealing as a low-emission route to tailor the microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of cold-rolled LC steel. Samples were annealed at 750 °C and 850 °C for 60 s, followed by comprehensive microstructural and crystallographic characterization using XRD, SEM, EBSD (IPF, GOS, KAM, ODF), hardness, and tensile testing. Annealing increased recrystallization from ~4% in the as-rolled condition to ~98% at 850 °C, reduced the mean KAM from 1.9° to 0.1°, enhanced the high-angle grain boundary fraction to 0.91, and promoted γ-fiber strengthening while suppressing detrimental θ-fiber components. The 850 °C condition achieved optimal mechanical performance (UTS × TE = 11.1 GPa%). These results demonstrate that CEF annealing enables sustainable processing with better mechanical performance in LC steels. Full article

Lignin is an abundant aromatic biopolymer, but its conversion into high-performance fibers remains challenging due to intrinsically poor spinnability, structural heterogeneity, and inefficient stress transfer in lignin-rich systems. In this study, a processing and structure strategy is demonstrated to overcome these limitations by transforming industrial black-liquor kraft lignin into a spinnable and load-bearing fiber component. Kraft lignin recovered from black-liquor waste was extracted and subsequently purified using a hot-water treatment to remove inorganic impurities and thermally unstable fractions, increasing lignin purity to 95.9% through extensive deionized water purification using a water-to-lignin ratio of 300:1. The purified lignin was then blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), wet-spun into continuous filaments, and subjected to post-spinning hot drawing to induce molecular orientation. This sequential extraction, purification, blending, spinning, and drawing approach enables stable wet spinning and the continuous formation of lignin-rich lignin/PVA filaments without filament breakage, directly addressing the primary processing bottleneck of lignin-based fibers. Molecular-level miscibility between lignin and PVA is confirmed by the presence of a single glass transition temperature at 88.3 °C, indicating the formation of a homogeneous amorphous phase. SEM observations reveal composition-dependent surface roughness and non-circular cross-sectional morphologies arising from differential coagulation and shrinkage, demonstrating that lignin actively participates in the load-bearing fiber network rather than acting as a passive filler. As a result of purification-enabled spinnability, true blend miscibility, and post-spinning hot drawing, fibers with a lignin-to-PVA composition of 40:60 achieve a maximum tensile strength of 2.8 GPa, approaching the performance range of commercial high-strength polymer fibers. This work establishes a clear relationship between material structure, processing strategy, and resulting properties, highlighting the potential of industrial lignin waste as a sustainable precursor for advanced fiber applications. Full article

Cardiac and hemodynamic conditions such as myocardial infarct, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and aortic valve disease can impair conduction within the Purkinje fiber network and compromise left ventricular (LV) pump function. We developed a computational framework that couples electrical propagation in a structurally organized Purkinje fiber network with LV electromechanics to analyze the impact of conduction abnormalities on cardiac performance. A baseline simulation reproduced physiological activation patterns and pump indices consistent with healthy human data. Conduction block was then introduced at different locations within the Purkinje fiber network. LV pump function was strongly dependent on block location: left bundle branch block (LBBB) produced the largest reduction in ejection fraction (EF) (59% to 46%) and peak pressure (119 to 97 mmHg), whereas left anterior fascicle block caused smaller functional changes. Across simulations, myocardial activation delay and systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) exhibited a nonlinear relationship with EF and myocardial strain. A threshold behavior was identified at a simulated LV activation duration of approximately 240 ms and an SDI of 8.4%, beyond which EF and strain decreased by about 5% relative to baseline. These findings provide a mechanistic framework to investigate how Purkinje fiber network conduction abnormalities influence LV pump dysfunction. Full article