Search Results (4,383)

Nickel-oxide-based anodic electrochromic materials are extensively utilized as counter electrodes in smart window systems due to their reversible optical response during ion insertion and extraction. This study systematically investigates the influence of substrate temperature on the electrochromic properties of sputtered nickel-tungsten oxide thin films. The deposited thin films exhibit an amorphous structure. An increase in substrate temperature results in a decrease in nickel-vacancy concentration. Raman spectroscopy verifies the amorphous nature. Films deposited at lower substrate temperatures exhibit superior electrochromic performance, characterized by improved optical contrast of 64% and rapid coloration (2.21 s) and bleaching (0.93 s) dynamics. The enhanced performance is ascribed to the disordered amorphous structure and the existence of enough nickel vacancies, which collectively facilitate efficient and reversible lithium-ion transfer. This study illustrates that meticulous regulation of substrate temperature is an effective method for adjusting the microstructure and defect chemistry of nickel–tungsten oxide thin films, rendering them appropriate as effective counter electrodes for energy-efficient smart window applications. Full article

The rising demand for sustainable and functional ingredients necessitates the development of novel replacers for traditional food components, such as eggs, which are critical for structure and aeration in baked goods. This study investigated hydrocolloids derived from cassava (Manihot esculenta) as a partial egg substitute in sponge cakes, evaluating their effect on rheological, physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties. The resulting cake batter exhibited characteristic non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic, and viscoelastic fluid behavior. A microstructural analysis confirmed that the stabilized, higher-viscosity doughs successfully facilitated the formation of larger, more stable air bubbles, effectively mimicking the structural role of the egg. Physicochemical assessments demonstrated a high product equivalence; the fat content showed no significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to the control, while pH and carbohydrate levels decreased. Crucially, the optimized formula, CK-S50-H2.5 (50% egg and 2.5% hydrocolloids substitutions), exhibited a minimal color difference (ΔE) consistent with the control, preserving product appearance. Sensory evaluation confirmed that hydrocolloid substitution did not compromise consumer acceptance. Panelists preferred cakes utilizing lower egg substitution levels for their enhanced flavor and texture. These findings establish that cassava hydrocolloids serve as an effective and functional partial egg replacer, yielding a high-quality and well-accepted product and offering a valuable, sustainable solution for the food industry. Full article

Microwave pretreatment of native soybeans in the preparation of yuba remains underexplored, and the impact of this treatment on the resulting yuba quality is still unclear. In this study, soybeans were subjected to microwave pretreatment for 30–120 s before conventional soaking. CLSM revealed soybean microstructural changes, including cell-wall degradation and improved dispersion of proteins and lipids. FTIR and SDS-PAGE results of yuba indicated that hydrogen bond cleavage and the formation of new cross-links reduced protein coiling and polar group exposure, while stabilizing aliphatic chains, ultimately yielding a stronger and more compact yuba network structure. Mechanical and rehydration results further indicated that microwave treatment positively affected yuba quality. The 90 s pretreatment was identified as the optimal condition, exhibiting the highest elongation at break (126.36% increase) and rehydration capacity, along with improved color attributes, including higher lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values. These changes are likely attributable to disulfide-mediated protein reorganization, which creates greater spatial availability and thereby facilitates lipid incorporation. This study elucidates how microwave pretreatment drives the reorganization of soybean protein and lipid components, thereby influencing their distribution during film formation and providing a foundation for the tailored design of yuba with targeted mechanical properties. Full article

CAD/CAM polymer-based dental materials are increasingly used as metal-free alternatives for fixed and implant-supported restorations. High-performance polymers such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), fiber-reinforced composites, and graphene-reinforced polymers have been introduced to improve material stability; however, evidence regarding the effects of thermal aging on their physicochemical and biological properties remains limited. In this study, PEEK, a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC), and a graphene-reinforced PMMA-based polymer (G-CAM) were evaluated. Twenty-seven disc-shaped specimens (10 × 2 mm; n = 9 per material) were fabricated and subjected to 10,000 thermal cycles between 5 and 55 °C. Color change (ΔE₀₀), surface roughness (Ra), and Vickers microhardness (VHN) were measured before and after aging. Chemical stability was assessed using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, surface morphology by SEM analysis, and biological safety by cytotoxicity testing. Material-dependent differences were observed in color stability, surface roughness, and microhardness after thermal aging (p < 0.05). Microhardness decreased in the fiber-reinforced and graphene-reinforced materials, whereas PEEK showed no significant change. Spectroscopic analyses indicated preserved chemical structure, and all materials demonstrated acceptable cytocompatibility. Thermal aging influenced material behavior while chemical stability and biological safety were maintained, highlighting the importance of considering aging behavior during material selection for prosthetic restorations. Full article

Bayberry (Morella rubra Lour.; syn. Myrica rubra (Lour.) Siebold & Zucc.) leaves are rich in bioactive compounds but remain underutilized. This study investigated the optimal harvest stage and processing methods to develop high-quality functional powder. We first compared three growth stages: red buds (RB), new leaves (NL), and old leaves (OL). RB exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity and unique volatile profile; however, NL was selected for processing optimization due to the balance between quality and biomass availability. Subsequently, NL was subjected to freeze-drying (FD), mechanical drying (MD), steaming followed by MD (S-MD), and shade drying (SD). Results showed that FD preserved the vibrant green color, glandular trichome structure, ascorbic acid, and fresh volatiles (monoterpenes). Conversely, thermal drying (MD and S-MD) disrupted cellular barriers, which facilitated the extraction of minerals and robust polyphenols like myricitrin, yielding the highest extraction of flavonoids and corresponding antioxidant activity, measured by hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORAC), in hot water extracts than FD. SD significantly degraded quality due to prolonged enzymatic oxidation. While FD is ideal for preserving aesthetics and heat-sensitive nutrients, low-cost MD and S-MD are recommended for producing antioxidant-rich powders for functional food applications where extraction efficiency is prioritized. Full article

This work presents a method to encapsulate plant extracts within a binary polysaccharide carrier and to characterize the physicochemical and rheological performance of the resulting biocomposites in the context of food use. Using a starch/psyllium matrix, extracts from Sambucus nigra (SN), Aronia melanocarpa (AM), and Echinacea purpurea (EP) were effectively protected and incorporated through a stepwise workflow encompassing matrix preparation, encapsulation, structural verification, and functional assessment. SEM revealed a porous network containing uniformly distributed, extract-loaded spherical structures (~800–1500 nm), while FTIR supported the presence of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions that contributed to system stability. The prepared nanoemulsions showed shear-thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior, indicating favorable processing characteristics, whereas most physicochemical and bioactivity measurements were performed on lyophilized composites. The dried materials preserved extract-specific color signatures (ΔE > 5) and exhibited distinct thermal responses: AM produced a pronounced plasticizing effect (Tg reduced by >20 °C), while the incorporation of extracts generally delayed thermal degradation, consistent with polyphenol–starch interactions. Phase-transition behavior was also altered, with melting peaks suppressed for SN and AM and melting temperatures lowered for EP. Surface analysis indicated increased hydrophobicity and a reduced polar component of surface free energy, suggesting improved moisture barrier potential. Antioxidant capacity closely tracked total phenolic content (r > 0.94), with caffeic acid contributing strongly, particularly in EP-based systems. Antimicrobial activity depended on extract type (broad-spectrum for EP, selective for SN, minimal for AM), and the comparatively higher sensitivity of Gram-negative bacteria points to improved phenolic availability and membrane interactions upon encapsulation. Collectively, these results highlight the starch/psyllium matrix as a flexible platform for stabilizing plant extracts while enabling tunable functional attributes for functional food applications. Full article

Algae extracts have emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes and functional additives in the textile industry, particularly for dyeing and functionalizing of cotton fabrics. Herein, two types of water-soluble algae extracts from Arthrospira platensis and Porphyridium cruentum were characterized in terms of thermal, structural, and functional properties and used as dye and/or functional agents. Cotton samples were pre-treated with chitosan and alum mordants and compared with commercially treated cationic cotton. The algae extracts were applied through the exhaust method, with variations in temperature, pH, liquor ratio, temperature rise gradient, and extract percentages. The resulting colours, assessed through CIE L*a*b* coordinates and K/S values using UV–Vis spectroscopy, displayed green and pink coloration, with commercial cationic cotton exhibiting more intense colours. Colour fastness measurements were also performed on functionalized cotton fabrics. The water-based algae extracts and functionalized samples were additionally characterized for functional features, displaying an antioxidant activity exceeding 60% (68.13 ± 3.60 and 60.76 ± 1.18, for A. platensis and P. cruentum, respectively). This work highlights their dual role in providing both aesthetic dyeing and functional enhancement of cotton. By using renewable marine resources and eco-friendly water-based processes, this approach supports the development of greener, more sustainable textile technologies. Full article

Bigels (BGs) are promising biphasic systems for extrusion-based 3D food printing inks. In this study, BG inks were formulated by combining a 6% beeswax—4% monoglycerides oleogel (OG) with a 4% gelatin—1% guar gum hydrogel (HG). The BGs were formulated at OG:HG ratios of 10:90 up to 50:50. The effect of the OG:HG ratio on appearance, microstructure, extrusion, rheological and thermal characteristics was investigated to assess printability and shape fidelity. All formulations showed no signs of phase separation during storage, while changes in color were observed with increasing OG content, suggesting modifications in phase distribution and light-scattering behavior. Increasing the OG content induced a transition from OG-in-HG systems to a bicontinuous structure at a 50:50 ratio. All inks showed shear-thinning behavior (G′ > G″) and viscoelastic properties suitable for 3D printing. BG with intermediate OG contents displayed moderate extrusion forces (7.27–9.00 N) and improved structural recovery (up to ≈60%), consistent with desirable printability and appropriate yield/flow points to ensure shape fidelity after deposition. Thermal analysis further confirmed the coexistence of OG and HG phases, ensuring structural integrity at printing temperature. These findings demonstrate the potential of BG as tunable, fat-reduced inks for 3D food structuring. Full article

Grounded in a Critical Race Theory framework, this study explores the racial microaggressions experienced by Faculty of Color at one four-year university in California during what Bell would call a “peak of progress” for racial justice—where equity and inclusivity took center stage in the institutional agenda. We engaged a Critical Race Feminista Methodology, using group pláticas to gather stories of Faculty of Color from diverse racial and generational backgrounds to understand how they experienced everyday racism within the context of racial realism—the acknowledgement of the permanence of racism in U.S. society. Our findings revealed that despite the institutional focus on equity, Faculty of Color experiences with racial microaggressions were connected by threaded histories of imposed racial hierarchies, marginalization, and structural inequities. Faculty of Color across age, gender, and rank described the everyday racism that impacted academic trajectories and personal lives across time, from the late 1990s for the most senior faculty to the present for the most junior. However, we also found that faculty responded to those microaggressions through racial microaffirmations—the everyday ways People of Color affirm each other’s dignity, integrity, and shared humanity that make them feel seen and supported. Indeed, we found that Faculty of Color engaged powerful strategies of racial microaffirmations with each other across generations that supported their well-being and their careers. Full article

The external quantum efficiency (EQE) of InGaN-based LEDs typically decreases as wavelength shifts from blue to green to red. While this trend has often been attributed to the internal quantum efficiency of InGaN quantum wells (QWs), the influence of light extraction efficiency (LEE) on the wavelength-dependent EQE has received less attention. In this study, we numerically investigated the LEE of blue, green, and red InGaN micro-LED structures using finite-difference time-domain simulations, including the dispersion of composite materials. We first optimized the distance between the QW and the Ag reflector for each color, then evaluated the total LEE and the LEE within a 20° collection angle as the micro-LED structure diameter varied. For diameters ranging from 2 to 6 μm, green and red micro-LEDs exhibited average LEE values that were over 10% and 20% higher than those of blue micro-LEDs, respectively. This is attributed to the decreasing refractive index of GaN and increasing reflectance of the Ag reflector as the wavelength increases. Such substantial variations in LEE among blue, green, and red InGaN micro-LEDs highlight the importance of considering wavelength-dependent LEE when interpreting measured EQE results. Full article

CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have attracted significant attention for optoelectronic applications owing to their outstanding optical properties, yet achieving controlled synthesis with high stability under mild conditions remains a challenge. The room-temperature synthesis of CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots using a coprecipitation method is systematically investigated in this work, with an emphasis on how the structural and optical properties of the QDs are influenced by the Br/Pb ratio and OA/OAm ratio. The findings show that controlling the Br/Pb and OA/OAm ratios can effectively influence the size, crystalline phase, and surface passivation properties of CsPbBr₃ quantum dots. The photoluminescence peak shifts blue and the bandgap widens when the Br/Pb ratio rises due to a decrease in quantum dot size. This is mainly explained by more effective surface covering by Br⁻ ions and increased quantum confinement effects. The resultant quantum dots demonstrate ideal optical performance at a Br/Pb ratio of 75 and an OA/OAm ratio of 1.5, with dense ligand coverage, superior defect passivation, and markedly improved stability under UV irradiation and in aqueous environments. Variations in the Br/Pb and OA/OAm ratios affect the binding configuration and coverage of ligands on the quantum dot surface, thereby influencing the relationship between non-radiative recombination and the quantum confinement effect. The LED fabricated with the as-synthesized high-performance quantum dots demonstrates a wide color gamut, covering 129.45% of the NTSC standard, indicating strong potential for display applications. Full article

Hair loss affects over half of adults by age 70 and represents a major determinant of overall hair health, imposing significant psychosocial burden across genders. Nutritional factors play a critical role in follicle biology, yet targeted strategies remain underexplored. This comprehensive review examines five key hair-constituent macromolecules—type I collagen, elastin, keratin, ceramides, and melanin—and their physiological and clinical impacts on hair structure, density, shining, and growth. We conducted a structured literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar through January 2025, selecting in vitro studies, animal experiments, and human clinical trials that evaluated each macromolecule’s effects on follicular function and hair fiber integrity. Type I collagen enhances dermal papilla cell proliferation, upregulates Wnt/β-catenin and growth factors, and improves hair thickness and breakage resistance in randomized controlled trials. Keratin hydrolysates replenish cortical protein, reinforce disulfide cross-links, and reduce telogen shedding, with clinical studies demonstrating 30–50% decreases in hair loss and gains in tensile strength. Oral ceramide formulations restore the cuticular lipid barrier, shift follicles toward anagen, and increase hair density in double-blind trials. Although direct clinical data on melanin supplementation are lacking, ex vivo and animal models confirm its role as a UV-protective pigment, preserving keratin integrity and color fastness. Together, these macromolecules constitute a coherent framework for hair health, and clinical studies increasingly provide evidence that their combined or parallel application can meaningfully enhance hair density, strength, shine, and resilience. Full article

This study investigated the characteristics and bioactive properties of olive oils obtained from regional Nizip Yaglik (NY) and Kilis Yaglik (KY) olive varieties, encapsulated using maltodextrin (MD) and whey protein isolate (WPI) as wall materials. Olive oils were first emulsified with different WPI–MD ratios (1:1, 1:4, 1:10) and subsequently freeze-dried to produce microcapsule powders. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted, including physicochemical properties (encapsulation efficiency, moisture content, water activity, bulk density, flowability, wettability, particle size, and color), FTIR spectral profiles, morphological features, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The results demonstrated that combining WPI with MD yielded high encapsulation efficiency and favorable reconstitution characteristics, effectively protecting sensitive bioactive constituents from oxidative degradation during processing and storage. Increasing the proportion of MD in the wall matrix improved emulsion stability and microencapsulation yield, while also slightly enhancing powder brightness. FTIR analyses confirmed that the fundamental chemical structure of olive oil was preserved across all formulations. The freeze-dried microcapsules displayed superior stability relative to non-encapsulated oils, retaining higher levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Among the formulations, elevated MD ratios enhanced powder flowability, whereas WPI played a crucial role in emulsification performance and capsule surface integrity. Overall, these findings underscore the effectiveness of MD–WPI blends as promising wall materials for the freeze-drying encapsulation of regional olive oils, offering a viable strategy to preserve their distinctive qualities and bioactive potential for functional food applications. Full article

Bacteriophages (phages) offer a targeted biocontrol solution, but their direct application is hampered by environmental instability. To address this, we developed a novel, food-grade microcapsule system for phage delivery using layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly of zein and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). Lytic phages targeting specific spoilage bacteria were successfully encapsulated via electrostatic interactions. Characterization confirmed the formation of a multilayer structure, driven primarily by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic forces between the wall materials. The microencapsulation markedly enhanced phage stability against thermal (60 °C and 70 °C) and extreme pH (2.0, 12.0) stresses and provided a controlled release profile in a simulated fish exudate. When applied to fresh-cut sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus), the phage-loaded microcapsules (CMCS3), constructed via a three-layer zein/CMCS LbL assembly, significantly delayed the pH rise during refrigerated storage, maintaining a final pH of 6.28 compared to 7.28 in the control group after 5 days. The microcapsules also effectively suppressed microbial growth (total viable count (TVC) was maintained below 6 log CFU/g) and controlled lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were kept at 0.62 mg malondialdehyde/kg) while better preserving texture and color stability compared to free phages. This zein/CMCS-based LbL system presents a promising strategy for advancing phage-based biopreservation in aquatic products through enhanced physical protection, sustained release, and improved stress tolerance. Full article

With China’s urban growthism past its peak, urban development has shifted from incremental expansion to inventory quality improvement. Renovating historical and cultural blocks—a core area for urban quality enhancement—makes exploring their integration with surroundings highly significant. Existing studies on historical district research mainly focus on single-dimensional research such as protection policies, spatial structure analysis, and quality evaluation, lacking a systematic and quantitative evaluation of the spatial integration degree between historical and cultural blocks and their surrounding areas. To improve research on the integrated development of historical and cultural districts and their surrounding areas, this study employs deep learning and machine learning techniques to process street view images from 2721 data points in 2024, investigating the integration of Wuhan Hankou’s historical and cultural districts with their surrounding areas. The spatial integration degree between a historical and cultural district and its surroundings refers to the coordinated development level in terms of history and culture, spatial ecology, and transportation infrastructure. Specifically, the DeepLab v3+ model processes the blocks’ street view images to generate indicator data (Green Visual Index, Sky Visibility Index, Road Area Index, Spatial Enclosure Index, Color Richness (Wheel), Color Richness (Entropy), Spatial Accessibility Index, Vehicle Disturbance Index, Traffic Sign, which is used to quantify the historical culture, spatial ecology, and transportation facilities of historical and cultural blocks and their surrounding areas. The Coupling Coordination Degree model evaluates spatial integration, while the Geodetector Model quantitatively analyzes interactions between spatial integration and driving factors here. The results show that the spatial interaction and dependence between the Hankou Historical and Cultural District and its surrounding areas are relatively high, but spatial coordination is insufficient; the integration remains at a primary stage with structural contradictions. SVI, SEI, and RAI have a significant impact on integration, while Spatial Accessibility Index, Green Visual Index, and CRW have a moderate influence, and CRE, Vehicle Disturbance Index, and Traffic Signs have a relatively weak impact. Among them, SVI exhibits the strongest interactive effect with other indicators and plays a leverage role in improving integration. Full article