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Keywords = high-pressure homogenization

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17 pages, 5451 KiB  
Article
Study of Efficient and Clean Combustion of Diesel–Natural Gas Engine at High Loads with TAC-HCCI Combustion
by Min Zhang, Wenyu Gu, Zhi Jia and Wanhua Su
Energies 2025, 18(15), 4121; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18154121 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 75
Abstract
This study proposes an innovative Thermodynamic Activity Controlled Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (TAC-HCCI) strategy for diesel–natural gas dual-fuel engines, aiming to achieve high thermal efficiency while maintaining low emissions. By employing numerical simulation methods, the effects of the intake pressure, intake temperature, EGR [...] Read more.
This study proposes an innovative Thermodynamic Activity Controlled Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (TAC-HCCI) strategy for diesel–natural gas dual-fuel engines, aiming to achieve high thermal efficiency while maintaining low emissions. By employing numerical simulation methods, the effects of the intake pressure, intake temperature, EGR rate, intake valve closing timing, diesel injection timing, diesel injection pressure, and diesel injection quantity on engine combustion, energy distribution, and emission characteristics were systematically investigated. Through a comprehensive analysis of optimized operating conditions, a high-efficiency and low-emission TAC-HCCI combustion technology for dual-fuel engines was developed. The core mechanism of TAC-HCCI combustion control was elucidated through an analysis of the equivalence ratio and temperature distribution of the in-cylinder mixture. The results indicate that under the constraints of PCP ≤ 30 ± 1 MPa and RI ≤ 5 ± 0.5 MW/m2, the TAC-HCCI technology achieves a gross indicated mean effective pressure (IMEPg) of 24.0 bar, a gross indicated thermal efficiency (ITEg) of up to 52.0%, and indicated specific NOx emissions (ISNOx) as low as 1.0 g/kW∙h. To achieve low combustion loss, reduced heat transfer loss, and high thermal efficiency, it is essential to ensure the complete combustion of the mixture while maintaining low combustion temperatures. Moreover, a reduced diesel injection quantity combined with a high injection pressure can effectively suppress NOx emissions. Full article
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30 pages, 3319 KiB  
Article
A Pilot Study on Thermal Comfort in Young Adults: Context-Aware Classification Using Machine Learning and Multimodal Sensors
by Bibars Amangeldy, Timur Imankulov, Nurdaulet Tasmurzayev, Serik Aibagarov, Nurtugan Azatbekuly, Gulmira Dikhanbayeva and Aksultan Mukhanbet
Buildings 2025, 15(15), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152694 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 297
Abstract
While personal thermal comfort is critical for well-being and productivity, it is often overlooked by traditional building management systems that rely on uniform settings. Modern data-driven approaches often fail to capture the complex interactions between various data streams. This pilot study introduces a [...] Read more.
While personal thermal comfort is critical for well-being and productivity, it is often overlooked by traditional building management systems that rely on uniform settings. Modern data-driven approaches often fail to capture the complex interactions between various data streams. This pilot study introduces a high-accuracy, interpretable framework for thermal comfort classification, designed to identify the most significant predictors from a comprehensive suite of environmental, physiological, and anthropometric data in a controlled group of young adults. Initially, an XGBoost model using the full 24-feature dataset achieved the best performance at 91% accuracy. However, after using SHAP analysis to identify and select the most influential features, the performance of our ensemble models improved significantly; notably, a Random Forest model’s accuracy rose from 90% to 94%. Our analysis confirmed that for this homogeneous cohort, environmental parameters—specifically temperature, humidity, and CO2—were the dominant predictors of thermal comfort. The primary strength of this methodology lies in its ability to create a transparent pipeline that objectively identifies the most critical comfort drivers for a given population, forming a crucial evidence base for model design. The analysis also revealed that the predictive value of heart rate variability (HRV) diminished when richer physiological data, such as diastolic blood pressure, were included. For final validation, the optimized Random Forest model, using only the top 10 features, was tested on a hold-out set of 100 samples, achieving a final accuracy of 95% and an F1-score of 0.939, with all misclassifications occurring only between adjacent comfort levels. These findings establish a validated methodology for creating effective, context-aware comfort models that can be embedded into intelligent building management systems. Such adaptive systems enable a shift from static climate control to dynamic, user-centric environments, laying the critical groundwork for future personalized systems while enhancing occupant well-being and offering significant energy savings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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21 pages, 2015 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Fucoxanthin Pickering Emulsion Stability and Encapsulation with Seaweed Cellulose Nanofibrils Using High-Pressure Homogenization
by Ying Tuo, Mingrui Wang, Yiwei Yu, Yixiao Li, Xingyuan Hu, Long Wu, Zongpei Zhang, Hui Zhou and Xiang Li
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(8), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23080311 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 189
Abstract
Poor solubility and bioavailability have limited the application of fucoxanthin in drug and functional food processing. In order to encapsulate fucoxanthin in delivery systems, in this study, cellulose was isolated from industrial brown algae residues and high-pressure homogenized into cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Then, [...] Read more.
Poor solubility and bioavailability have limited the application of fucoxanthin in drug and functional food processing. In order to encapsulate fucoxanthin in delivery systems, in this study, cellulose was isolated from industrial brown algae residues and high-pressure homogenized into cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Then, fucoxanthin was encapsulated into the Pickering emulsion stabilized by the CNFs. The effect of high-pressure homogenization on the characteristics of cellulose and the stability of fucoxanthin emulsion was evaluated. The results indicated that CNFs prepared at 105 MPa had a diameter of 87 nm and exhibited high zeta potential and thermal stability. Encapsulation efficiency peaked at 70.8% with 1.0 mg/mL fucoxanthin, and after three freeze–thaw cycles the encapsulation efficiency was higher than 60%. The DPPH scavenging activity after 12 days’ storage at 4 °C was still 42%. Furthermore, the Pickering emulsion with 1.0 mg/mL fucoxanthin showed high stability and antioxidant activity under different pH values, salinity, temperature, and UV light exposure duration. The CNFs effectively protected fucoxanthin from degradation, offering a novel delivery system for marine bioactive compounds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the fucoxanthin delivery system of Pickering emulsion stabilized by the CNFs. Such emulsion might benefit the encapsulation and release of bioactive components in marine drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Carotenoids: Properties, Health Benefits, and Applications)
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25 pages, 4318 KiB  
Article
Real Reactive Micropolar Spherically Symmetric Fluid Flow and Thermal Explosion: Modelling and Existence
by Angela Bašić-Šiško
Mathematics 2025, 13(15), 2448; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13152448 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 162
Abstract
A model for the flow and thermal explosion of a micropolar gas is investigated, assuming the equation of state for a real gas. This model describes the dynamics of a gas mixture (fuel and oxidant) undergoing a one-step irreversible chemical reaction. The real [...] Read more.
A model for the flow and thermal explosion of a micropolar gas is investigated, assuming the equation of state for a real gas. This model describes the dynamics of a gas mixture (fuel and oxidant) undergoing a one-step irreversible chemical reaction. The real gas model is particularly suitable in this context because it more accurately reflects reality under extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and high pressures. Micropolarity introduces local rotational dynamic effects of particles dispersed within the gas mixture. In this paper, we first derive the initial-boundary value system of partial differential equations (PDEs) under the assumption of spherical symmetry and homogeneous boundary conditions. We explain the underlying physical relationships and then construct a corresponding approximate system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the Faedo–Galerkin projection. The existence of solutions for the full PDE model is established by analyzing the limit of the solutions of the ODE system using a priori estimates and compactness theory. Additionally, we propose a numerical scheme for the problem based on the same approximate system. Finally, numerical simulations are performed and discussed in both physical and mathematical contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fluid Mechanics, Numerical Analysis, and Dynamical Systems)
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21 pages, 1652 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial and Physicochemical Properties of Hemicellulose-Based Films Incorporating Carvacrol
by Syed Ammar Hussain, Brajendra K. Sharma, Phoebe X. Qi, Madhav P. Yadav and Tony Z. Jin
Polymers 2025, 17(15), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17152073 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
Antimicrobial food packaging with natural antimicrobials and biodegradable polymers presents an innovative solution to mitigate microbial contamination, prolong freshness, reduce food waste, and alleviate environmental burden. This study developed antimicrobial hemicellulose-based films by incorporating carvacrol (1% and 2%) as a natural antimicrobial agent [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial food packaging with natural antimicrobials and biodegradable polymers presents an innovative solution to mitigate microbial contamination, prolong freshness, reduce food waste, and alleviate environmental burden. This study developed antimicrobial hemicellulose-based films by incorporating carvacrol (1% and 2%) as a natural antimicrobial agent through micro-emulsification produced by high-pressure homogenization (M-films). For comparison, films with the same formula were constructed using coarse emulsions (C-films) without high-pressure homogenization. These films were investigated for their antimicrobial efficacy, mechanical and barrier properties, and physicochemical attributes to explore their potential as sustainable antimicrobial packaging solutions. The M-films demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, achieving reductions exceeding 4 Log CFU/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica, compared to the C-films. High-pressure homogenization significantly reduced the emulsion’s particle size, from 11.59 to 2.55 μm, and considerably enhanced the M-film’s uniformity, hydrophobicity, and structural quality. Most importantly, the M-films exhibited lower oxygen transmission (35.14 cc/m2/day) and water vapor transmission rates (52.12 g/m2/day) than the C-films at 45.1 and 65.5 cc/m2/day, respectively, indicating superior protection against gas and moisture diffusion. Markedly improved mechanical properties, including foldability, toughness, and bubble-free surfaces, were also observed, making the M-films suitable for practical applications. This study highlights the potential of high-pressure homogenization as a method for enhancing the functional properties of hemicellulose-based films (i.e., M-films). The fabricated films offer a viable alternative to conventional plastic packaging, paving the way for safer and greener solutions tailored to modern industry needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Coatings: Principles, Development and Applications)
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16 pages, 1865 KiB  
Article
pH-Controlled Yeast Protein Precipitation from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Acid-Induced Denaturation for Improved Emulsion Stability
by Laura Riedel, Nico Leister and Ulrike S. van der Schaaf
Foods 2025, 14(15), 2643; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152643 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 192
Abstract
In the search for alternative protein sources, single cell proteins have gained increasing attention in recent years. Among them, proteins derived from yeast represent a promising but still underexplored option. To enable their application in food product design, their techno-functional properties must be [...] Read more.
In the search for alternative protein sources, single cell proteins have gained increasing attention in recent years. Among them, proteins derived from yeast represent a promising but still underexplored option. To enable their application in food product design, their techno-functional properties must be understood. In order to investigate the impact of precipitation pH on their emulsion-stabilizing properties, yeast proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated via precipitation at different pH (pH 3.5 to 5) after cell disruption in the high-pressure homogenizer. Emulsions containing 5 wt% oil and ~1 wt% protein were analyzed for stability based on their droplet size distribution. Proteins precipitated at pH 3.5 stabilized the smallest oil droplets and prevented partitioning of the emulsion, outperforming proteins precipitated at higher pH values. It is hypothesized that precipitation under acidic conditions induces protein denaturation and thereby exposes hydrophobic regions that enhance adsorption at the oil–water interface and the stabilization of the dispersed oil phase. To investigate the stabilization mechanism, the molecular weight of the proteins was determined using SDS-PAGE, their solubility using Bradford assay, and their aggregation behavior using static laser scattering. Proteins precipitated at pH 3.5 possessed larger molecular weights, lower solubility, and a strong tendency to aggregate. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of yeast-derived proteins as bio-surfactants and suggest that pH-controlled precipitation can tailor their functionality in food formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
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23 pages, 8489 KiB  
Article
Validation of the Pull-Back Method for Dynamic Tensile Strength Characterization in Unidirectional Reinforced Concrete
by Xinlu Yu, Junfeng Zhang and Junhui Gu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8369; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158369 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 234
Abstract
The pull-back method for determining dynamic tensile strength assumes one-dimensional stress wave propagation and material homogeneity. This study validates these assumptions for unidirectional reinforced concrete (UDRC) through experiments and numerical simulations. Split Hopkinson pressure bar tests were conducted on plain concrete, plain UDRC, [...] Read more.
The pull-back method for determining dynamic tensile strength assumes one-dimensional stress wave propagation and material homogeneity. This study validates these assumptions for unidirectional reinforced concrete (UDRC) through experiments and numerical simulations. Split Hopkinson pressure bar tests were conducted on plain concrete, plain UDRC, and deformed UDRC specimens containing a central 6 mm steel bar. Ultra-high-speed digital image correlation at 500,000 fps enabled precise local strain rate measurements (3 s−1 to 55 s−1) at fracture locations. Finite element simulations revealed that while reinforcement induces localized multi-axial stresses near the steel–concrete interface, the bulk concrete maintains predominantly uniaxial stress conditions. Experimental results showed less than 1% variation in pull-back velocity between specimen types. Statistical analysis confirmed a unified strain rate-strength relationship: σspall=4.1+4.7log10(ε˙)MPa, independent of reinforcement configuration (ANCOVA: p=0.2182 for interaction term). The dynamic tensile strength is governed by concrete matrix properties rather than reinforcement type. These findings are the first to experimentally and numerically validate the pull-back method’s applicability to UDRC systems, establishing that dynamic tensile failure is matrix-dominated and enabling simplified one-dimensional analysis for reinforced concrete under impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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26 pages, 21628 KiB  
Article
Key Controlling Factors of Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoir Characteristics in Yan’an Block, Ordos Basin: Based on Multi-Scale Pore Structure Characterization and Fluid Mobility Research
by Jianbo Sun, Sijie Han, Shiqi Liu, Jin Lin, Fukang Li, Gang Liu, Peng Shi and Hongbo Teng
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2382; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082382 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
The development of deep coalbed methane (buried depth > 2000 m) in the Yan’an block of Ordos Basin is limited by low permeability, the pore structure of the coal reservoir, and the gas–water occurrence relationship. It is urgent to clarify the key control [...] Read more.
The development of deep coalbed methane (buried depth > 2000 m) in the Yan’an block of Ordos Basin is limited by low permeability, the pore structure of the coal reservoir, and the gas–water occurrence relationship. It is urgent to clarify the key control mechanism of pore structure on gas migration. In this study, based on high-pressure mercury intrusion (pore size > 50 nm), low-temperature N2/CO2 adsorption (0.38–50 nm), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology, fractal theory and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, quantitative characterization of multi-scale pore–fluid system was carried out. The results show that the multi-scale pore network in the study area jointly regulates the occurrence and migration process of deep coalbed methane in Yan’an through the ternary hierarchical gas control mechanism of ‘micropore adsorption dominant, mesopore diffusion connection and macroporous seepage bottleneck’. The fractal dimensions of micropores and seepage are between 2.17–2.29 and 2.46–2.58, respectively. The shape of micropores is relatively regular, the complexity of micropore structure is low, and the confined space is mainly slit-like or ink bottle-like. The pore-throat network structure is relatively homogeneous, the difference in pore throat size is reduced, and the seepage pore shape is simple. The bimodal structure of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance shows that the bound fluid is related to the development of micropores, and the fluid mobility mainly depends on the seepage pores. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that the specific surface area of micropores was strongly positively correlated with methane adsorption capacity, and the nanoscale pore-size dominated gas occurrence through van der Waals force physical adsorption. The specific surface area of mesopores is significantly positively correlated with the tortuosity. The roughness and branch structure of the inner surface of the channel lead to the extension of the migration path and the inhibition of methane diffusion efficiency. Seepage porosity is linearly correlated with gas permeability, and the scale of connected seepage pores dominates the seepage capacity of reservoirs. This study reveals the pore structure and ternary grading synergistic gas control mechanism of deep coal reservoirs in the Yan’an Block, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of deep coalbed methane. Full article
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25 pages, 7428 KiB  
Article
Sialic Acid-Loaded Nanoliposomes with Enhanced Stability and Transdermal Delivery for Synergistic Anti-Aging, Skin Brightening, and Barrier Repair
by Fan Yang, Hua Wang, Dan Luo, Jun Deng, Yawen Hu, Zhi Liu and Wei Liu
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(8), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17080956 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 302
Abstract
Objectives: Sialic acid (SA), a naturally occurring compound abundantly found in birds’ nests, holds immense promise for skincare applications owing to its remarkable biological properties. However, its low bioavailability, poor stability, and limited skin permeability have constrained its widespread application. Methods: [...] Read more.
Objectives: Sialic acid (SA), a naturally occurring compound abundantly found in birds’ nests, holds immense promise for skincare applications owing to its remarkable biological properties. However, its low bioavailability, poor stability, and limited skin permeability have constrained its widespread application. Methods: To overcome these challenges, SA was encapsulated within nanoliposomes (NLPs) by the high-pressure homogenization technique to develop an advanced and efficient transdermal drug delivery system. The skincare capabilities of this novel system were comprehensively evaluated across multiple experimental platforms, including in vitro cell assays, 3D skin models, in vivo zebrafish studies, and clinical human trials. Results: The SA-loaded NLPs (SA-NLPs) substantially improved the transdermal penetration and retention of SA, facilitating enhanced cellular uptake and cell proliferation. Compared to free SA, SA-NLPs demonstrated a 246.98% increase in skin retention and 1.8-fold greater cellular uptake in HDF cells. Moreover, SA-NLPs protected cells from oxidative stress-induced damage, stimulated collagen synthesis, and effectively suppressed the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases, tyrosinase activity, and melanin production. Additionally, zebrafish-based assays provided in vivo evidence of the skincare efficacy of SA-NLPs. Notably, clinical evaluations demonstrated that a 56-day application of the SA-NLPs-containing cream resulted in a 4.20% increase in L*, 7.87% decrease in b*, 8.45% decrease in TEWL, and 4.01% reduction in wrinkle length, indicating its superior brightening, barrier-repair, and anti-aging effects. Conclusions: This multi-level, systematic investigation strongly suggests that SA-NLPs represent a highly promising transdermal delivery strategy, capable of significantly enhancing the anti-aging, barrier-repair, and skin-brightening properties of SA, thus opening new avenues for its application in the fields of dermatology and cosmeceuticals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lipid/Polymer-Based Drug Delivery Systems)
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12 pages, 828 KiB  
Communication
Enhanced Protein Extraction from Auxenochlorella protothecoides Through Synergistic Mechanical Cell Disruption and Alkaline Solubilization
by Jun Wei Ng, Sze Ying Lee, Tong Mei Teh, Melanie Weingarten and Md. Mahabubur Rahman Talukder
Foods 2025, 14(15), 2597; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152597 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 229
Abstract
Microalgae proteins are increasingly recognized in the food and nutraceutical industries for their functional versatility and high nutritional value. Mild alkaline treatment is commonly used for cell wall degradation and intracellular protein solubilization, consequently enhancing the protein extraction yield. The findings of this [...] Read more.
Microalgae proteins are increasingly recognized in the food and nutraceutical industries for their functional versatility and high nutritional value. Mild alkaline treatment is commonly used for cell wall degradation and intracellular protein solubilization, consequently enhancing the protein extraction yield. The findings of this study reveal that alkaline treatment alone, even at higher NaOH concentration (up to 0.3 M) and treatment time (up to 90 min), was ineffective (max. 2.4% yield) for the extraction of protein from Auxenochlorella protothecoides biomass. This challenge was significantly reduced through synergistic application of mechanical cell disruption using high-pressure homogenization (HPH) and alkaline solubilization. Single-pass HPH (35 k psi) alone without alkaline treatment led to 52.3% protein solubilization from wet biomass directly harvested from culture broth, while it was only 18.5% for spray-dried biomass. The combined effect of HPH and alkaline (0.1 M NaOH) treatment significantly increased protein extraction yield to 68.0% for a spray-dried biomass loading of 50 g L−1. Through replacing spray-dried biomass with wet biomass, the requirement of NaOH was reduced by 5-fold to 0.02 M to achieve a similar yield of 68.1%. The process integration of HPH with the mild alkaline solubilization and utilization of wet biomass from culture broth showed high potential for industrialization of microalgae protein extraction. This method achieves high extraction yield while reducing alkaline waste and eliminating the need for energy-consuming drying of biomass, thereby minimizing the environmental impact. Full article
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18 pages, 1642 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Physicochemical Properties of Reduced Salt Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) Gels Induced by High Pressure and Setting Treatment
by Binh Q. Truong, Binh T. T. Vo, Roman Buckow and Van Chuyen Hoang
Sci 2025, 7(3), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci7030099 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 505
Abstract
Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) minced muscle with 1 and 2% salt was treated with different high-pressure processing and thermal methods, including conventional heat-induced gels (HIGs), high-pressure processing (HPP) prior to cooking (PC), HPP prior to setting (PS), and setting prior to HPP [...] Read more.
Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) minced muscle with 1 and 2% salt was treated with different high-pressure processing and thermal methods, including conventional heat-induced gels (HIGs), high-pressure processing (HPP) prior to cooking (PC), HPP prior to setting (PS), and setting prior to HPP (SP), to evaluate for their effects on the selected physicochemical properties. The results showed that the PC treatment produced gels with a significantly higher gel strength (496.72–501.26 N·mm), hardness (9.62–10.14 N), and water-holding capacity (87.79–89.74%) compared to the HIG treatment, which showed a gel strength of 391.24 N·mm, a hardness of 7.36 N, and a water-holding capacity of 77.98%. PC gels also exhibited the typical microstructure of pressure-induced gels, with a denser and homogeneous microstructure compared to the rough and loosely connected structure of HIGs. In contrast, SP treatment exhibited the poorest gel quality in all parameters, with gel strength ranging from 319.79 to 338.34 N·mm, hardness from 5.87 to 6.31 N, and WHC from 71.91 to 73.72%. Meanwhile, the PS treatment showed a comparable gel quality to HIGs. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed protein degradation and aggregation in HPP-treated samples, with a decrease in the intensity of myosin heavy chains and actin bands. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed minor shifts in protein secondary structures, with the PC treatment showing a significant increase in α-helices (28.09 ± 0.51%) and a decrease in random coil content (6.69 ± 0.92%) compared to α-helices (23.61 ± 0.83) and random coil structures (9.47 ± 1.48) in HIGs (p < 0.05). Only the PC treatment resulted in a significant reduction in total plate count (TPC) (1.51–1.58 log CFU/g) compared to 2.33 ± 0.33 log CFU/g in the HIG treatment. These findings suggest that HPP should be applied prior to thermal treatments (cooking or setting) to achieve an improved gel quality in reduced-salt pangasius products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biology Research and Life Sciences)
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18 pages, 1276 KiB  
Article
A Pressure-Driven Recovery Factor Equation for Enhanced Oil Recovery Estimation in Depleted Reservoirs: A Practical Data-Driven Approach
by Tarek Al Arabi Omar Ganat
Energies 2025, 18(14), 3658; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143658 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 205
Abstract
This study presents a new equation, the dynamic recovery factor (DRF), for evaluating the recovery factor (RF) in homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoirs. The DRF method’s outcomes are validated and compared using the decline curve analysis (DCA) method. Real measured [...] Read more.
This study presents a new equation, the dynamic recovery factor (DRF), for evaluating the recovery factor (RF) in homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoirs. The DRF method’s outcomes are validated and compared using the decline curve analysis (DCA) method. Real measured field data from 15 wells in a homogenous sandstone reservoir and 10 wells in a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir are utilized for this study. The concept of the DRF approach is based on the material balance principle, which integrates several components (weighted average cumulative pressure drop (ΔPcum), total compressibility (Ct), and oil saturation (So)) for predicting RF. The motivation for this study stems from the practical restrictions of conventional RF valuation techniques, which often involve extensive datasets and use simplifying assumptions that are not applicable in complex heterogeneous reservoirs. For the homogenous reservoir, the DRF approach predicts an RF of 8%, whereas the DCA method predicted 9.2%. In the heterogeneous reservoir, the DRF approach produces an RF of 6% compared with 5% for the DCA technique. Sensitivity analysis shows that RF is very sensitive to variations in Ct, ΔPcum, and So, with values that vary from 6.00% to 10.71% for homogeneous reservoirs and 4.43% to 7.91% for heterogeneous reservoirs. Uncertainty calculation indicates that errors in Ct, ΔPcum, and So propagate to RF, with weighting factor (Wi) uncertainties causing changes of ±3.7% and ±4.4% in RF for homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoirs, respectively. This study shows the new DRF approach’s ability to provide reliable RF estimations via pressure dynamics, while DCA is used as a validation and comparison baseline. The sensitivity analyses and uncertainty analyses provide a strong foundation for RF estimation that helps to select well-informed decisions in reservoir management with reliable RF values. The novelty of the new DRF equation lies in its capability to correctly estimate RFs using limited available historical data, making it appropriate for early-stage development and data-scarce situations. Hence, the new DRF equation is applied to various reservoir qualities, and the results show a strong alignment with those obtained from DCA, demonstrating high accuracy. This agreement validates the applicability of the DRF equation in estimating recovery factors through different reservoir qualities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Petroleum Exploration, Development and Transportation)
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18 pages, 7681 KiB  
Article
Microstructure, Phase Components, and Tribological Properties of Al65Cu20Fe15 Quasicrystal Coatings Deposited by HVOF
by Sherzod Kurbanbekov, Tulkinzhon Gaipov, Pulat Saidakhmetov, Alibek Tazhibayev, Sherzod Ramankulov, Sattarbek Bekbayev, Arai Abdimutalip and Dilnoza Baltabayeva
Lubricants 2025, 13(7), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13070297 - 6 Jul 2025
Viewed by 456
Abstract
Quasicrystalline coatings based on Al65Cu20Fe15 are of increasing interest as potential alternatives to conventional wear-resistant materials due to their unique structural and tribological properties. This study explores the influence of air pressure during high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying on [...] Read more.
Quasicrystalline coatings based on Al65Cu20Fe15 are of increasing interest as potential alternatives to conventional wear-resistant materials due to their unique structural and tribological properties. This study explores the influence of air pressure during high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying on the phase composition, morphology, and wear behavior of Al65Cu20Fe15 coatings deposited on U8G tool steel. Coatings were applied at a fixed spraying distance of 350 mm using three air pressures (1.9, 2.1, and 2.3 bar), with constant propane (2.0 bar) and oxygen (2.1 bar) supply. X-ray diffraction analysis identified the formation of Al78Cu48Fe14 and Al0.5Fe1.5 phases, while scanning electron microscopy revealed a dense, uniform microstructure with low porosity and homogeneous element distribution across all samples. Tribological testing using the ball-on-disk method showed wear track widths ranging from 853.47 to 952.50 µm, depending on the air pressure applied. These findings demonstrate that fine-tuning the air pressure during HVOF spraying significantly influences the structural characteristics and wear resistance of the resulting quasicrystalline coatings, highlighting their promise for advanced surface engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wear and Friction of High-Performance Coatings and Hardened Surfaces)
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26 pages, 18598 KiB  
Article
Fractal Feature of Manufactured Sand Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Based on MIP
by Xinlin Wang, Tinghong Pan, Yang Yang, Rongqing Qi, Dian Guan, Kaihe Dong, Run-Sheng Lin and Rongxin Guo
Fractal Fract. 2025, 9(7), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract9070448 - 5 Jul 2025
Viewed by 482
Abstract
To alleviate environmental pressures, manufactured sand (MS) are increasingly being used in the production of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) due to their consistent supply and environmental benefits. However, manufactured sand properties are critically influenced by processing and production techniques, resulting in substantial variations in [...] Read more.
To alleviate environmental pressures, manufactured sand (MS) are increasingly being used in the production of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) due to their consistent supply and environmental benefits. However, manufactured sand properties are critically influenced by processing and production techniques, resulting in substantial variations in fundamental characteristics that directly impact UHPC matrix pore structure and ultimately compromise performance. Traditional testing methods inadequately characterize UHPC’s pore structure, necessitating multifractal theory implementation to enhance pore structural interpretation capabilities. In this study, UHPC specimens were fabricated with five types of MS exhibiting distinct properties and at varying water to binder (w/b) ratios. The flowability, mechanical strength, and pore structure of the specimens were systematically evaluated. Additionally, multifractal analysis was conducted on each specimen group using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) data to characterize pore complexity. SM-type sands have a more uniform distribution of pores of different scales, better pore structure and matrix homogeneity due to their finer particles, moderate stone powder content, and better cleanliness. Both excessively high and low stone powder content, as well as low cleanliness, will lead to pore aggregation and poor closure, degrading the pore structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fractal and Fractional in Construction Materials)
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40 pages, 4525 KiB  
Article
Private Brand Product on Online Retailing Platforms: Pricing and Quality Management
by Xinyu Wang, Luping Zhang, Yue Qin and Yinsu Wang
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030170 - 4 Jul 2025
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Abstract
In recent years, online retailing platforms (ORPs) have increasingly introduced private brand (PB) products as a new profit source, reshaping market dynamics and affecting their commission revenues. This shift creates a strategic trade-off for the platform: maximizing PB product profits while maintaining commission [...] Read more.
In recent years, online retailing platforms (ORPs) have increasingly introduced private brand (PB) products as a new profit source, reshaping market dynamics and affecting their commission revenues. This shift creates a strategic trade-off for the platform: maximizing PB product profits while maintaining commission income from national brand (NB) retailers. This paper examines the platform’s pricing and quality strategies for PB products, as well as its incentives to introduce them. We develop a game-theoretic model featuring a platform and a retailer, and derive results through equilibrium analysis and comparative statics. Special attention is given to the platform’s strategy when market power is asymmetric and the PB product is homogeneous. The analysis yields three key findings. Firstly, the platform is always incentivized to introduce a PB product, regardless of its brand value. Even when direct profit is limited, the platform can leverage the PB product to increase competitive pressure on the retailer and boost commission revenue. Secondly, when the PB product has low brand value, the platform adopts a cost-saving strategy with low quality for extremely low brand value, and a function-enhancing strategy with high quality for moderately low brand value. Thirdly, when the PB product has high brand value, the platform consistently prefers a function-enhancing strategy. This study contributes to the literature by systematically characterizing the platform’s strategic trade-offs in introducing PB products, highlighting its varied pricing and quality strategies across categories, and revealing the critical role of brand value in supply chain competition. Full article
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