Search Results (2,627)

Tenate cheese is a traditional Mexican pressed semi-hard cheese made from raw cow’s milk and wrapped in palm fiber. The characterization of this cheese remains scarce. This study presents an exploratory characterization of a single production batch of traditional Tenate cheese obtained from one artisanal producer, providing preliminary information on its physicochemical, microbiological, and proximate analyses, combined with consumer evaluation. The latter was analyzed using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) as an exploratory segmentation tool. Tenate cheese was characterized as a semi-hard cheese with active lactic fermentation, a lactic aroma, acidic and umami flavors, and a firm, granular texture. Microbiological analyses showed the absence of coliforms, enterobacteria, and Staphylococcus aureus among the microorganisms evaluated, whereas yeast counts exceeded the regulatory limit. As major foodborne pathogens were not included in the microbiological assessment, the overall microbiological safety of the product could not be confirmed. A total of 318 consumers from Aguascalientes (AGS, n = 149) and the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA, n = 169) evaluated the product using hedonic and Just-About-Right scales. Consumers from AGS reported significantly higher liking scores than those from GMA. Penalty analysis identified insufficient softness as the main attribute associated with lower liking in AGS, whereas low flavor intensity and weak aftertaste reduced acceptance in GMA. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified three consumer segments in each location, revealing distinct preference patterns linked to regional expectations. The main contributions of this study are threefold. First, it contributes to the limited scientific knowledge available on Tenate cheese by providing a comprehensive characterization of the analyzed sample. Second, it shows that consumer acceptance differed between two regional markets, comparing two university-affiliated consumer groups, highlighting the value of consumer segmentation for product positioning. Third, it proposes and applies an integrated framework combining physicochemical, microbiological, nutritional, sensory, and consumer segmentation analyses that can be applied to the study of other artisanal cheeses. Full article

Ferrite is an essential functional material for high-power nonreciprocal microwave components, such as circulators and isolators, and its secondary electron emission (SEE) property is critical for suppressing the multipactor effect under vacuum conditions. In this work, we propose a surface engineering strategy based on periodic raised microstructures to regulate the secondary electron yield (SEY) of ferrite coatings/substrates. A Monte Carlo-based numerical method is developed to calculate the SEY of ferrite with hexagonal and annular microprotrusions of varying heights and geometric parameters. The dependence of SEY on microstructure dimensions is systematically analyzed. Spinel ferrite samples with designed microstructures are fabricated via mechanical processing. For hexagonal column arrays with a height of 1.5 mm, a side length of 0.5 mm, and a pitch of 1.67 mm, the maximum SEY is reduced from 2.4 (smooth surface) to 1.7 while the annular concentric protrusion arrays decrease the maximum SEY to 2.1. Effective suppression is achieved over the entire incident energy range for both microstructural designs. Despite a lower reduction, the annular arrays offer geometrically isotropic electron trapping, which may be advantageous for devices with circular or coaxial cavity geometries where directional dependence of the surface texture is undesirable. The results demonstrate that tailored surface microstructures can significantly mitigate SEE of ferrite, providing a promising route for developing high-performance ferrite coatings toward multipactor suppression in space microwave devices. Full article

Artemisia annua contains artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide; artemether is a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin that may offer potential advantages due to its redox-modulating and antimicrobial activities. These compounds have been associated with oxidative-stress modulation and microbial inhibition, making them promising candidates for experimental evaluation in nutritional and post-harvest quality studies. This study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with A. annua powder, artemisinin, and artemether on the refrigerated quality of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets. A total of 160 Nile tilapia were randomly assigned to four treatments: control (no additive), 1% A. annua powder, artemisinin (9.6 mg/kg feed), or artemether (9.6 mg/kg feed). After 30 days of feeding, 320 fillets were collected and stored under refrigeration at 4 °C. Samples were analyzed immediately after slaughter (day 0) and on days 7, 15, and 30. For each treatment group and sampling time, 20 fillets were used: 10 for microbiological evaluations, including counts of mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, molds and yeasts, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, Enterobacteriaceae, coagulase-positive staphylococci, and coliforms; and 10 for physicochemical analyses, including pH, colorimetry, lipid oxidation through TBARS, and sensory evaluation. All supplemented treatments demonstrated improved microbial stability and lower TBARS values when compared with the control. Spoilage indicators such as discoloration, texture loss, and odor deterioration were also delayed. Artemether showed the most pronounced benefits, with lower microbial loads and oxidation indices for several evaluated parameters. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with A. annua and its derivatives may help delay post-harvest quality deterioration of tilapia fillets during refrigerated storage. Full article

Within the food industry, research on mobile gastronomy has increased from the consumer perspective. Food trucks play an important role as economic units worldwide, serving as a culinary alternative to traditional restaurants. They have emerged as an innovative initiative and business model that offers a disruptive alternative to home cooked meals. One of the aspects most appreciated by consumers is the charcoal-grilled food offered by food trucks. Globally, charcoal is widely used as an energy source and cooking fuel, with an annual production of approximately 53.2 million tons. Its characteristics and low cost make charcoal a dominant energy resource, and it plays a fundamental role in cooking in both low- and high-income countries due to the distinctive flavor and texture it imparts to food. Research has focused on air pollution and health risks, supplemented with information on the types of charcoal, characteristics and properties, production techniques, and added value. Charcoal ash residue production has not been fully analyzed, providing an opportunity for research to obtain data and evaluate various criteria, such as kilograms of charcoal purchased and food trucks’ residual charcoal ash. To address this gap, the authors propose a horizontal collaboration perspective through the application of the COHRV model to (1) collect data and create a database from food-truck business owners in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua; (2) develop a circular economy model for charcoal ash as a sustainable strategy within the food industry; and (3) estimate charcoal consumption during the grilling process and the generation of charcoal ash residue in the food truck sector. Full article

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of biomimetic surface engineering strategies applied to dental implants on osseointegration and peri-implant bone regeneration compared with conventional implant surfaces. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, covering the period from January 2021 to January 2026. A total of 12 studies, including in vivo animal experiments and in vitro investigations, that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the SYR-CLE tool and the ARRIVE guidelines. Results: Biomimetic strategies, including laser texturing, sulfonation, bioactive coatings, and growth factor/peptide functionalization (e.g., BMP-2, FGF-2, and PRF), significantly increased bone–implant contact (BIC), new bone volume (BV/TV), and biomechanical stability (pullout strength and reverse torque) compared to conventional surfaces. These surfaces enhance fixation under conditions of low bone density, such as osteoporosis, and improve infection resistance through antibacterial activity. In addition, these modifications enhance cellular adhesion, osteogenic differentiation, angiogenesis, and immune modulation. Conclusions: Current experimental evidence suggests that biomimetic implant surface engineering transforms dental implants from passive biomaterials into multifunctional bioactive interfaces capable of simultaneously regulating osteogenesis, immune response, angiogenesis, and antibacterial activity. Although promising outcomes have been demonstrated in preclinical studies, standardized long-term human clinical studies are still required to validate translational potential and long-term clinical efficacy. Full article

Chlorophyll content represents a key growth indicator for maize. The traditional SPAD (Soil and Plant Analyzer Development) method, though easy to operate, is inefficient, destructive, and unsuitable for high-throughput field monitoring. UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) remote sensing technology is highly efficient and detects abundant indicators, enabling large-scale SPAD measurement. In this study, 18 vegetation indices and eight texture features were selected as the indicator system by combining prior knowledge and experimental analysis. In a two-year maize density experiment, multispectral images were collected in the growth period. The correlations among SPAD values, multispectral indices and texture features were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Then the detection accuracies of three algorithms, i.e., RF (Random Forest), PLSR (Partial Least Squares Regression), and SVR (Support Vector Regression), were compared under this indicator system. Compared with models constructed using single vegetation indices or single texture features, the estimation accuracy of the indicator system at the jointing stage was improved by 0.13 and 0.22, respectively. The results showed that SVR achieved the highest estimation accuracy among the three algorithms, with determination coefficients (R²) of 0.73, 0.77and 0.70 at the jointing, silking, and grain-filling stages, respectively. This study established a non-destructive monitoring framework for chlorophyll content during the entire maize growth stage based on UAV data. Full article

Posterior acoustic shadowing is a key diagnostic feature in ultrasound imaging of calcified lesions, such as gallbladder and kidney stones. However, conventional assessment relies primarily on qualitative interpretation, and its underlying structural characteristics remain insufficiently quantified. This study aimed to quantitatively characterize posterior acoustic shadows using wavelet-based texture analysis and to investigate their diagnostic relevance across different expert-defined shadow confidence groups. Ultrasound B-mode images were analyzed from gallbladder stone and kidney stone datasets. Regions of interest (ROIs) were extracted from gallbladder and kidney stone images across three shadow confidence levels (50–60%, 60–80%, and >80%), and multi-scale wavelet features were computed. The results demonstrated a substantial reduction in high-frequency components with increasing attenuation. Total detail energy decreased by approximately 80% in the gallbladder group and 55–60% in the kidney group from low to high shadow confidence levels. Similarly, normalized ratios (E_{detail/approx} and E_detail/total showed consistent decreases, with inter-group differences of approximately 2.3–2.5-fold at 50–60%, which converged to negligible levels (<2.4% difference) at >80%. These findings suggest that wavelet-based energy distributions may provide acoustically interpretable quantitative descriptors of posterior shadow formation in ultrasound stone imaging. Full article

Snapshot compressive imaging (SCI), including coded aperture compressive temporal imaging (CACTI), reconstructs high-speed video frames from compressed low-frame-rate measurements. Most deep SCI reconstruction networks are designed around a measurement-wise formulation: each compressed exposure is reconstructed independently, and the resulting frame segments are concatenated to form a continuous video. This protocol is effective for within-measurement reconstruction, but it leaves cross-measurement temporal continuity largely unmodeled. Boundary artifacts such as flickering, texture drift, or motion jumps can therefore appear between adjacent reconstructed segments, even when frame-wise reconstruction metrics remain competitive. This work identifies and empirically analyzes the underexplored problem of cross-measurement temporal continuity in continuous SCI, and it provides TCA-EfficientSCI as a lightweight, causal, and reproducible baseline. The Temporal Context Adapter uses the last m reconstructed frames from the previous measurement as causal temporal context and injects this history through a gated residual feature pathway. A boundary consistency loss regularizes the predicted temporal variation across measurement boundaries without forcing adjacent frames to be identical. In a controlled three-seed comparison, Full TCA with boundary loss reduces mean Boundary Difference Error (BDE) by 2.23% relative to the matched-epoch EfficientSCI control while maintaining similar PSNR and SSIM. Correct-history inference gives BDE 0.01615, while zero and shuffled history give 0.01725 and 0.01810, respectively. The adapter adds 1,019,905 parameters, or 11.56% relative to the EfficientSCI baseline parameters, and it changes $256\times 256$ mean latency from 54.35 ms to 68.58 ms per measurement in the profiling protocol. Rather than claiming broad reconstruction-quality improvement, this study highlights cross-measurement continuity as an important evaluation and design dimension for continuous SCI deployment. Full article

Background: As the population ages, dementia poses a critical public health challenge. This study examined the oral health and nutritional status of institutionalized Portuguese adults with dementia, exploring their interrelated predictors. Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study assessed institutionalized patients using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, posterior functional units (PFUs), plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indices, the Short Xerostomia Inventory (SXI-5), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). DMFT was modeled using multivariable ordinary least squares (OLS) regression for demographic and clinical predictors and separate negative binomial models for medication-related predictors. Other outcomes were analyzed using outcome-specific multivariable models. Results: The study included 71 participants (mean age: 82.5 ± 6.9 years). A high dental disease burden (mean DMFT score of 24.3 ± 7.5) was observed, independently predicted by advanced age (β = 0.48, p = 0.002) and residence in public long-term care units (LTCUs) (β = 6.65, p = 0.001). Total edentulism affected 28.2% of the sample. Polypharmacy emerged as a significant predictor of tooth loss; each additional medication was associated with an 18% decrease in the likelihood of retaining natural teeth (OR = 0.82, p = 0.008). Higher cognitive decline (GDS) was associated with increased plaque (p = 0.043), and modified-texture diets were associated with lower plaque levels (β = −0.64, p = 0.021). The mean MNA score (16.9 ± 3.8) indicated a high risk of malnutrition, with a trend toward lower gingival inflammation with better nutritional status (p = 0.061). Conclusions: Institutionalized dementia patients face severe oral and nutritional risks associated with age, polypharmacy and institutional environment. This emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary protocols and caregiver training. Full article

The family Scoliidae is composed of parasitoid wasps of notable ecological and agronomic importance, particularly for their role in the natural control of soil-dwelling beetle larvae within agroecosystems. This study provides the first record of Campsomeriella whitelyi (Kirby, 1889) in Chile, a species originally described from the Tambo Valley, Arequipa, Peru. The specimens analyzed, previously identified as Campsomeris servillei (Guérin-Méneville, 1831), were found to correspond to Campsomeriella whitelyi, whose known distribution in Chile was restricted to the extreme north. Their identity was confirmed through morphological analysis, which revealed the presence of a distinct yellow band on the fourth abdominal tergite and an elongated posterior tibial spur—diagnostic characters consistent with the original description of the species. This record from the Coquimbo Region represents the southernmost known expansion of the species. Specimens were collected between 2017 and 2025 in horticultural and rainfed agroecosystems associated with the Elqui River Basin (Coquimbo Region, Chile), using entomological nets in targeted sampling efforts. The edaphoclimatic conditions of the area—characterized by light-textured soils, winter humidity, and a high availability of hosts—appear to have favored the establishment of this wasp in a previously unreported environment. Through MaxEnt modeling, areas of high environmental suitability were identified in Chile’s Norte Chico region. From an agronomic perspective, this finding opens opportunities to incorporate Campsomeriella whitelyi as a functional component in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, particularly in the biological control of Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) larvae that affect root, bulb, and minor fruit crops. Its adaptation to semi-arid agricultural environments suggests potential resilience under climate change scenarios, as well as a low impact on non-target species. This study contributes to applied entomology and functional conservation, promoting the integration of beneficial Hymenoptera into sustainable agricultural systems of north-central Chile. Full article

To improve the efficiency of TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, our team developed a novel fast-frequency pulsed twin-TIG welding power source and matched welding procedures to overcome the drawbacks of conventional high-efficiency TIG welding. After parameter optimization, stable, high-efficiency and high-quality welding of 316L stainless steel can be realized. Compared with traditional DC TIG welding, the mechanical properties of joints are greatly improved: the weld grain size is refined by 38% under moderate current, while tensile strength, elongation and microhardness rise by 13.6%, 26% and 10% respectively, which achieves simultaneous improvement in strength and ductility. Numerical simulations were carried out to analyze the evolution of molten pool temperature field and velocity vector flow field. The simulation results are highly consistent with experimental data, which verifies the reliability of the model and lays a foundation for the study of molten pool behavior. Combined with molten pool flow characteristics and weld microstructure, the evolution mechanism of microstructure and texture as well as grain refinement in this welding process is revealed. Full article

For hydrological parameterization in high-Andean catchments, it is necessary to understand whether near-surface hydro-structural soil properties can provide a surrogate signal of particle-size composition when direct texture information is sparse. This study evaluated the extent to which sand, silt, and clay fractions can be approximated from organic matter ($\mathrm{OM}$), bulk density (${\rho }_b$), and saturated hydraulic conductivity ($K_{\mathrm{sat}}$) in the Zamora Huayco (ZH) and Irquis catchments, southern Ecuador. A harmonized dataset ($n=44$) was analyzed through exploratory statistics, compositional assessment, correlation analysis, PCA, fraction-wise regression, $\mathrm{ILR}$-based modeling, AIC/BIC term reduction, sensitivity analysis excluding $\mathrm{OM}$, nested $\mathrm{LOOCV}$, and bootstrap-based uncertainty intervals. Among LULC classes, samples classified as paramo occupied a distinct high-Andean hydro-edaphic domain, characterized by a differentiated relationship between soil physical properties and hydrological behavior. PCA showed that the dominant covariance structure involved $\mathrm{OM}$, ${\rho }_b$, $K_{\mathrm{sat}}$, and the redistribution between sand and silt. The BIC-reduced $\mathrm{ILR}$ model provided the most balanced formulation, with positive nested $\mathrm{LOOCV}$ performance for sand, silt, and clay ($R_{\mathrm{LOOCV}}^2=0.147$, $0.704$, and $0.124$, respectively) and exact $100\%$ compositional closure after inverse transformation. Silt was the most stable predicted fraction, whereas sand and clay retained larger residual uncertainty, stronger tail departures, and partial compression of the observed variability. The proposed equations provide local hydro-pedotransfer support, although their predictive signal remains dependent on further refinement, uncertainty assessment, and external validation before regional application. Full article

Façades play a decisive role in shaping the visual and symbolic character of historic urban environments. Recent European funding schemes promoting energy-efficient retrofitting have accelerated interventions on building envelopes. Although aligned with decarbonization objectives, these processes are generating significant chromatic and material transformations that risk eroding the visual coherence and cultural sustainability of consolidated urban areas. In the historic Ensanches of San Sebastián, the replacement of traditional envelope systems with new cladding solutions is leading to the loss of the architectural style of some facades and altering their materials, textures, and colors. A progressive “contagion effect” has been identified, whereby dissonant chromatic schemes—often associated with the proliferation of so-called “zebra blocks”, residential buildings with façades clad in alternating black and white stripes that have proliferated in recent urban developments—are replicated across adjacent buildings, gradually weakening spatial continuity and the genius loci of the neighborhood. In response to this phenomenon, this research develops a systematic methodology to analyze, quantify, and anticipate chromatic transformation in consolidated urban fabrics. The study combines historical morphological analysis, classification of architectural periods, and chromatic mapping of recent façade interventions. Based on this framework, a CARI, Chromatic Alteration Risk Index is proposed to evaluate the potential impact of façade alterations on urban chromatic coherence. Drawing on an epidemiological framework, the methodology enables the identification of critical transformation clusters, the assessment of contagion dynamics, and the definition of regulatory thresholds for color and material interventions. By integrating perceptual criteria, urban morphology, and spatial distribution patterns, the study moves beyond descriptive diagnosis and offers a transferable tool for municipal planning. The proposed approach supports the proactive regulation of façade rehabilitation processes, balancing energy efficiency objectives with the preservation of collective memory, material identity, and urban sensory quality. This study proposes a quantitative model of “urban chromatic contagion” to assess how façade color interventions propagate within a neighborhood. We define the Chromatic Integration Percentage (CIP) and the Chromatic Alteration Risk Index (CARI) of the analyzed area. Results indicate that poorly regulated façades show higher chromatic dissonance (low CIP) and act as contagion hotspots, while a clear risk gradient emerges: highly protected buildings present lower risk, whereas mixed typologies and recent rehabilitations concentrate higher CARI values. The model supports preventive urban color management by identifying areas at risk before visible alteration. Full article

The aim of this study was to compare carcass composition, meat quality, digestive tract morphometry, and leg bone dimensions of Pekin and Muscovy ducks. The study involved 40 birds, including 10 males and 10 females from each genotype, reared to market age. Carcass traits, physicochemical properties of breast and leg muscles, texture parameters, internal organ development, intestinal measurements, and selected dimensions of the femur and tibia were evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant effect of duck genotype (p < 0.05) on carcass weight, dressing percentage, and the proportion of neck, wings, and skin with subcutaneous fat. Genotype also affected meat color (L*, a*, b*), intramuscular fat and collagen content, cooking loss, pH, electrical conductivity, and selected texture parameters of breast muscles. Differences were also observed in the mass and proportion of internal organs, most intestinal morphometric traits, and selected bone measurements. Sex had a significant effect on body and carcass weight, selected meat quality traits, intestinal measurements, and leg bone dimensions, with males generally showing greater body size and more developed skeletal structures. Significant interactions between genotype and sex were observed for several analyzed traits. The findings indicate that both genotype and sex substantially affect slaughter traits and meat quality characteristics of ducks. Full article

Soil quality assessment, which considers numerous physical, chemical, and biological indicators, has long been a challenge for monitoring soil functions and ensuring sustainable resource use in agriculture. In this study, different indicator selection and weighting methods were compared to derive a reliable Soil Quality Index (SQI) in semi-arid agroecosystems. A total of 117 topsoil samples were taken from the Ap horizon within a 14,200 ha area of the Honam sub-catchment, southwestern Iran. Twenty-one soil indicators were measured and analyzed to assess the overall SQI. Soil indicator selection was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), considering standard and norm value strategies, as well as component rotation. Four weighting approaches, including PCA, Coefficient of Variation (CV), correlation score (r), and Expert Opinion (EO), were applied to the Minimum Dataset (MDS) and Total Dataset (TDS) to compute the Integrated Quality Index (IQI), Nemoro (NQI), simple additive (IQIa), and Fuzzy Fertility Index (FFI). The performance of the SQI models was evaluated using the Sensitivity Index (SI) and their relationships with crop yield. The results showed that the combination of the norm value approach without component rotation was more effective in selecting the influential indicators for SQI determination. The Structural Stability Index (SSI), which integrates soil organic carbon and textural soil properties, was the key indicator with the highest contribution, ranging between 6.3% and 37.5% in most of the models. Among the evaluated approaches, the IQI-CV-MDS showed the highest sensitivity (SI = 6.8) and the strongest correlation (r = 0.53) with rainfed barley yield. The majority of the samples exhibited moderate SQI values, indicating a general risk of soil quality decline in the study area. The findings of this study highlight that appropriate indicator selection and weighting strategies are essential for improving the reliability of SQI assessments in semi-arid environments with diverse mountainous topography. Full article