Search Results (85)

Hydrophilic sucrose esters are widely used in whipped cream, but the relationship between their molecular structure, interfacial behavior, and whipping performance remains unclear. This study investigated three hydrophilic sucrose esters, S1170, S1570, and P1570, in sodium caseinate-stabilized cream systems. Interfacial measurements showed that sucrose ester concentration strongly affected the adsorption behavior and viscoelasticity of the oil/water interface. Low concentrations produced rheological responses consistent with the formation of a more elastic mixed interface, whereas excessive addition was associated with competitive adsorption, reduced interfacial protein coverage, and weakened interfacial viscoelasticity. The molecular structure of sucrose esters further influenced this process: S1170, with a higher polyester content, showed behavior consistent with stronger interfacial interactions, while P1570 showed a greater decrease in interfacial modulus. These interfacial differences were associated with changes in whipping behavior. At 0.10 wt%, sucrose esters slowed fat partial coalescence, prolonged the optimal whipping time, and increased overrun. At 0.50 wt%, they accelerated early-stage coalescence and increased serum loss, especially for P1570. These findings suggest that selecting appropriate sucrose ester type and dosage is essential for balancing interfacial stability, fat partial coalescence, and whipped cream quality. Full article

In this study, native inulin was phosphorylated and used as a stabilizer in duck-fat-based whipped cream to investigate its effects on emulsion stability, rheological properties, whipping performance, and sensory quality. Characterization of phosphorylated inulin showed a phosphorus content of 0.38% and a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.020. FTIR analysis revealed phosphate-associated absorption bands at approximately 1220 and 992 cm⁻¹, attributed to P = O and P–O–C stretching vibrations, respectively, supporting the successful phosphorylation of inulin. Within the PI series, the average particle size decreased as the phosphorylated-inulin addition level increased, reaching 629 ± 5 nm in PI-12, consistent with the CLSM observations. The absolute magnitude of the negative zeta potential generally increased with the phosphorylated-inulin addition level. All emulsions exhibited shear-thinning behavior, with storage modulus (G′) exceeding loss modulus (G″). Higher phosphorylated-inulin addition levels were associated with longer whipping times and lower overrun. No measurable serum loss was detected for PI-6, PI-9, or PI-12. Air bubbles appeared smaller and more uniformly distributed at higher phosphorylated-inulin addition levels. The preliminary sensory assessment showed higher mean texture and smoothness scores for formulations containing 12 g/batch. Within the phosphorylated-inulin series, PI-6 (6 g/batch) was the lowest tested addition level at which no measurable serum loss was detected after 3 h at 22 °C, although higher addition levels further increased viscosity and viscoelastic moduli. Increasing the phosphorylated-inulin addition level above PI-6 further prolonged whipping time and reduced overrun. Further studies should evaluate storage stability and oxidative stability to validate long-term performance. Full article

Consumers increasingly favor frozen yogurt as a healthier alternative to ice cream due to its lower fat content and probiotic benefits. Baked fermented milk (BFM), with its caramelized flavor, brown color, and enhanced nutritional properties, has emerged as a promising ingredient for improving the functional and sensory qualities of frozen yogurt. This study aimed to develop a novel probiotic baked frozen yogurt (PBFY) using BFM instead of traditional fermented milk (TFM) and to evaluate its physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics compared with traditional probiotic frozen yogurt (PTFY). Reconstituted skim milk and fresh cream were heat-treated (90 °C, 5 min) for TFM or baked (115 °C, 20 min) for BFM prior to culture inoculation. Both bases were inoculated with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, along with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteriumanimalis subsp. lactis. PTFY and PBFY were formulated by blending ice cream mix with TFM or BFM at 25, 50, and 75% substitution levels. Increasing fermented milk concentration significantly decreased pH and surface tension while elevating mix viscosity. High inclusion levels (75%) impaired whipping ability, reduced overrun, increased fat destabilization, decreased the melting rate, and reduced culture survival during storage. Compared with PTFY, PBFY exhibited a higher melting rate, lower viscosity, and superior antioxidant activity (1.31- and 1.33-fold higher DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activity, respectively); however, the fermented milk type did not significantly affect overrun or fat destabilization. During storage, S. thermophilus was the most stable strain, with a decline rate of 0.6–0.69 log₁₀ CFU/mL/month, whereas B. animalis subsp. lactis showed a more rapid decline (0.80–0.89 log₁₀ CFU/mL/month). Sensory evaluation revealed that a 50% BFM inclusion level was optimal, producing PBFY with a smooth texture, light brown color, and appealing caramel-like flavor. Full article

This paper presents a novel cyclone dust removal device and conducts a preliminary investigation into its internal flow field characteristics. The device is equipped with an impeller with Archimedean spiral characteristics and a whip sheath structure arranged in a circle. Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, the velocity field, pressure field, vortex structure, and fluid trajectory characteristics are studied under the condition of a fixed rotational speed and different inlet velocities. The simulation results demonstrate that, under a fixed rotational speed of 24.5 rps and TSR = 2.0, the downstream vortex system of the impeller is more coherent and structured, developing into a stable configuration with alternating positive and negative vorticity. When the whip sheath structure is added, a larger radial velocity is generated. This study reveals the unique internal flow field evolution law of the device, which provides a theoretical basis for subsequent particle separation research. Full article

Mechanically aerated yeast-free dough is particularly susceptible to freeze–thaw damage because its porous structure is formed before freezing and cannot be restored during thawing due to the absence of fermentation. This study investigated the combined effects of apple powder incorporation and technological processing conditions on the rheological, structural, physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties of whipped yeast-free frozen dough and the resulting bread. Apple powder was incorporated at three formulation levels (50, 100, and 150 g per batch), while whipping speed (450–900 rpm), whipping time (3–7 min), freezing temperature (−14 to −38 °C), and microwave thawing time (4–8 min) were optimized using response surface methodology based on a Draper–Lin composite design. Dough properties were evaluated using Mixolab analysis and structural–mechanical measurements, whereas bread quality was assessed by specific volume, porosity, physicochemical characteristics, biochemical composition, amino acid profile, microbiological safety, and sensory evaluation. The developed regression models adequately described the effects of technological variables on dough quality (R² > 0.95). Deep freezing at −38 °C followed by 4 min of microwave thawing minimized structural deterioration and improved dough stability after freeze–thaw treatment. Apple powder increased the nutritional value of the bread by enhancing the dietary fiber (4.8–7.3%), potassium (125.6–156.7 mg/100 g), iron (2.45–3.20 mg/100 g), and vitamin C (0–2.2 mg/100 g) contents. Although the highest level of apple powder provided the greatest nutritional enrichment, it also reduced the dough rheological stability and produced a less homogeneous crumb structure. Overall, the formulation containing 100 g of apple powder per batch combined with a whipping speed of 900 rpm, whipping time of 7 min, freezing at −38 °C, and microwave thawing for 4 min provided the best balance between rheological stability, freeze–thaw resistance, bread quality, nutritional enhancement, microbiological stability, and sensory acceptability. These findings demonstrate that simultaneous optimization of formulation and processing conditions is an effective strategy for improving mechanically aerated yeast-free frozen bakery products and provides a scientific basis for the development of functional frozen bread technologies. Full article

Previous research in speech acoustics has suggested that individuals with Down syndrome may have reduced tongue movement during speech, particularly in the anterior–posterior dimension. However, this has not been confirmed by direct articulatory kinematic examination. The current study examined tongue and jaw movement in adults with Down syndrome (DS) compared to typical adults. The study used the target words “whip” and “bib.” These words were chosen as a previous study showed that “whip” elicits a large tongue movement trajectory in the anterior–posterior dimension compared to “bib.” Eighteen adults with DS and 13 typical adults produced the target words in a carrier phrase “I say a ___ again” while tongue and jaw kinematic data were collected using electromagnetic articulography. Results showed reduced anterior–posterior tongue movement in the Down syndrome (DS) group during “whip” compared to typical adults but not in “bib.” In addition, greater vertical jaw movement in “bib” and reduced articulatory speed were observed in the DS group. The findings confirmed the reduced tongue movement in the anterior–posterior dimension in “whip” but not in “bib.” This suggests that individuals with DS may experience greater articulatory difficulties in words or sentences that elicit greater tongue excursion in the anterior–posterior dimension. Full article

Hydrodynamic actions on ships may excite hull-girder whipping and generate short-duration global dynamic bending effects in the structure. To investigate the dynamic ultimate bearing capacity of box girders under such hydrodynamically induced whipping-type dynamic bending loads, a simplified box-girder structural segment is studied in this paper. A nonlinear dynamic finite element model is established under the combined action of hydrostatic pressure and equivalent whipping-type dynamic bending loads. Instead of directly applying localized slamming pressure, opposite rotational velocities with equal magnitudes are prescribed at the end reference points to equivalently represent the global bending response associated with whipping. This treatment allows the load-carrying characteristics and failure behavior of the box girder under transient dynamic bending to be examined. Geometric nonlinearity, material nonlinearity, the Cowper–Symonds strain-rate effect, and initial geometric imperfections are considered in the model. Stochastic finite element analysis and Monte Carlo simulation are further used to evaluate the influence of the randomness of Young’s modulus and loading strain rate on the probability distribution of the dynamic ultimate bearing capacity and structural reliability. The results show that the dynamic ultimate bearing capacity of the box girder increases with increasing strain rate, while its sensitivity to the strain rate decreases markedly when the strain rate exceeds 2.306 s⁻¹. A larger initial geometric imperfection amplitude leads to a more evident reduction in the ultimate capacity. The reliability analysis shows that an increase in the mean load effect significantly increases the failure probability; when the mean load effect is lower than the mean ultimate bending moment, an increase in the load standard deviation reduces structural reliability. This study provides a fundamental numerical reference for predicting the dynamic ultimate bearing capacity and conducting probabilistic safety assessment of box-girder structures subjected to whipping-type global dynamic bending. Full article

Slamming-induced whipping has been recognized as a key contributor to fatigue damage of large ships operating under severe sea states. However, accurate prediction of whipping responses remains challenging because of complex nonlinear fluid–structure interactions. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of slamming-induced whipping and quantitatively analyze its influence on the fatigue damage of an ultra-large container ship. A three-dimensional fully nonlinear time-domain hydroelastic method, in which the boundary element model is coupled with a Timoshenko beam model, is employed to predict the slamming-induced whipping responses. Segmented model tests in long-crested irregular waves are conducted to provide wave loads of hull girders under severe sea states. The total and wave-frequency vertical bending moments are separated by the fast Fourier transform, and their statistical characteristics are evaluated through probability distributions. Fatigue damage is assessed on the basis of the rainflow counting method and the Palmgren–Miner cumulative damage rule. The contribution of high-frequency whipping responses to fatigue damage is quantitatively evaluated using a fatigue damage factor. It is demonstrated that slamming-induced whipping can significantly amplify fatigue damage by increasing stress amplitudes and cycle counts, particularly under high forward speeds and severe sea conditions. The findings provide a reliable reference for the fatigue design and safety assessment of ultra-large container ships. Full article

Background/Objectives: The sexuality of LGBTQIA+ individuals has been less studied than that of heterosexuals. This study aimed to examine, in cisgender men who have sex exclusively with men, the association of positive (PSC) and negative (NSC) sexual cognitions of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in the contexts of solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. Methods: A sample of 253 men, aged 18 to 67 years old, completed an online survey assessing the frequency of PSC and NSC and their sexual functioning in solitary masturbation and sexual relationships. Mixed linear models were used to analyze the association of PSC and NSC of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in both contexts. Results: The results revealed, first, a lack of association between PSC and arousal/erection, except for a negative association with a submission PSC (“being sexually victimized”). Regarding NSC, on one hand, a positive relationship of a specific dominance cognition (“whipping or spanking someone”) with arousal and erection was found. On the other hand, a negative association of a specific submission cognition (“being whipped or spanked”) with arousal was found. Furthermore, the interaction of this NSC of dominance with the context was significant. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study highlight the complexity of the relationship between positive (PSC) and negative (NSC) sexual cognitions of dominance and submission with sexual arousal and erection in cisgender men who have sex exclusively with other men. Full article

Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse–owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, 25.0% showed poor hoof health, and many exhibited gait abnormalities. Behavioral assessments indicated that fewer than 40% of horses displayed alert attitudes, while over half responded indifferently to stimuli. Horses working daily tended to be thin, have skin lesions, and show gait problems, reflecting poor welfare. Horses with better attitude responses were more frequently fed and worked fewer days per week. Overall, the findings highlight poor physical, behavioral, and management conditions among working horses, emphasizing the urgent need for owner education, training programs, and further research to improve their welfare in the study area. Full article

This study develops and evaluates machine learning models for classifying Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) playoff advancement using pitching metrics from 2015 to 2024 (N = 100 team-seasons), focusing specifically on pitching’s contribution to playoff qualification to address the ERA-FIP paradox at the team level. Five algorithms were compared: Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, Neural Networks, and Decision Trees. Independent variables included ten pitching statistics: Earned Run Average (ERA), Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP), Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), Strikeouts per 9 Innings (K/9), Walks per 9 Innings (BB/9), Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio (K/BB), Home Runs per 9 Innings (HR/9), batting average against (BAA), and opponent On-Base Percentage (OBP) and On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS). Logistic Regression achieved the highest classification performance with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) of 0.804 and classification accuracy of 73.0%, followed by Neural Network (AUC = 0.799, CA = 72.0). Feature importance analysis showed ERA and WHIP, both defense-dependent metrics, as the dominant predictors of postseason qualification, collectively accounting for 33.7% of information gain, while FIP ranks fifth, indicating that defense-dependent metrics are more informative for team success than defense-independent measures. The findings highlight the strategic importance of pitching–defense synergy, demonstrate the applicability of machine learning-based playoff classification beyond Major League Baseball, and provide empirical evidence that defense-dependent metrics (ERA, WHIP) exhibit superior discriminatory power compared to defense-independent metrics (FIP) for team playoff qualification. Findings reflect pitching’s contribution to playoff success; comprehensive models integrating hitting, defense, and managerial factors would provide more complete classification frameworks. Full article

Carpinus betulus is an important ornamental landscape tree species with colorful foliage. It is widely used in landscaping due to its upright tree shape, significant seasonal changes, and good tolerance to pruning. Propagation methods for C. betulus include grafting, cutting, and seeding. However, the germination rate of seeding is low, and the rooting of cuttings is difficult; moreover, plant tissue culture techniques are complex, and the key technologies have not been disclosed. Grafting has therefore become the primary means of propagation. However, enabling the rapid reproduction of C. betulus through appropriate grafting methods and in appropriate environments remains an urgent issue to be addressed. In this study, Carpinus turczaninowii was used as a rootstock to graft C. betulus, and the effects of the grafting periods, technique, and environmental conditions on the survival rate of grafted C. betulus were discussed. The results showed that branch grafting (cleft graft and whip-and-tongue graft) performed in March to April and August to November resulted in the highest survival rates, whereas budding grafts (chip budding and patch budding) were more suitable in May and June. Increasing ambient humidity was a key measure for improving graft survival rates and germination rates. In terms of grafting survival rate, germination rate, and leaf growth, humidification and treatment with 60–70% light transmission had better results than treatment with natural humidity or 20–30% light transmission and full light treatment under humidification conditions. Under low-light conditions, increasing air humidity had a particularly pronounced effect on promoting the growth of grafted seedling branches. In the future, further research should be conducted on the molecular mechanism mediated by soil environment and temperature changes for the successful grafting of C. betulus, providing a theoretical basis for the propagation and cultivation of C. betulus. Full article

This study investigates a mechanically aerated, yeast-free bread technology incorporating apple-derived plant ingredients (juice, purée, and powder) in response to the growing demand for clean-label bakery products. The global bakery sector represents one of the largest food markets worldwide, with the baking yeast segment alone accounting for several billion USD annually, while interest in yeast-free and yeastless-dough products continues to expand. To address technological limitations associated with yeast exclusion, dough aeration was achieved using a two-stage whipping protocol (1000 rpm for 4 min, followed by 500 rpm for 1 min and stabilization at 500 rpm for 1 min under 4.0 ± 0.1 MPa gauge pressure), forming a stable protein–carbohydrate foam system. Rheological evaluation using Mixolab 2 showed that formulations containing 3–5% apple purée exhibited the most favorable dough development characteristics, with stability increasing from 3.30 ± 0.15 min in the control to 8.90 ± 0.20 min. Texture profiling using a CT-2 analyzer equipped with a cylindrical probe (50% compression, 60 mm/min, slices 25 mm thick, n = 5) revealed a significant reduction in crumb firmness, from 3.01 ± 0.15 N in the control to 2.12 ± 0.10 N in the purée- and powder-enriched samples (p < 0.05). Nutritional assessment indicated improvements in vitamin C content (up to 2.23 mg/100 g) and protein quality: the amino acid score, calculated according to FAO/WHO reference patterns on a mg/g-protein basis, increased from 76.5 ± 1.8% to 89.2 ± 2.3%. Microbiological analysis showed reduced total aerobic mesophilic counts after 72 h of storage—4.7 × 10³ CFU/g in the control versus 1.8–3.4 × 10³ CFU/g in apple-enriched breads. Overall, the results demonstrate that mechanical aeration combined with apple-derived ingredients enhances the structural, nutritional, and microbiological quality of yeast-free bread, offering a promising clean-label approach for functional bakery products. Full article

High-pressure pipelines in nuclear power plants (NPPs) are prone to structural failures, and the study of their failure behavior is essential to analyze and minimize damage to the surrounding structures and components. The prediction of the extent of damage is also a key parameter when designing the surrounding structures. This prediction holds significant importance, since a substantial number of NPPs globally are approaching the 60-year mark in their operational lifespan. Consequently, it becomes imperative to formulate sophisticated methodologies for assessing damage behavior of structures and components under dynamic loading conditions with a more realistic representation of the behavior. This study investigates the damage response resulting from the pipe whip phenomenon in high-pressure pipelines of nuclear power plants through numerical simulations that incorporate damage models for both concrete and steel. The proposed modeling approach was also verified with the results of a ballistics impact study. The finite element modeling (FEM) of the pipe-on-wall-impact (POWI) scenario using ABAQUS helps to implement the damage models of Johnson–Cook (J–C) and Cowper–Symonds (C–S) to steel and the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model to concrete using a damage-based approach to determine the extent of damage and failure possibilities. The maximum stresses of the pipe attained 450 MPa for the C–S model and 387 MPa for the J–C model, with the C–S model predicting higher stresses due to its high strain rate sensitivity at extreme loads. By incorporating the damage parameters for the POWI model, a better understanding of the mechanical behavior under impact conditions can be attained. Full article

A damping spacer rod is a key protective device in ultrahigh voltage transmission lines, which not only keeps the distance of split wires and limits the whipping and collision caused by the relative motion between sub-wires, but also inhibits the vibration of wires. This study aims to solve the problem of typical faults, such as loose wire clamps, that are prone to occur in damping isolation rods during long-term operation in ultra-high voltage transmission lines. Taking the spacer rod FGZ-450/34B as the object, a new high-pressure casting process for spacer rod frames is explored. The spacer rods were simulated by using the ABAQUS finite element software to predict the stress distribution and identify the dangerous sections. Based on this, the mold process was optimized to avoid die-casting defects. Meanwhile, mechanical property tests were carried out on the products produced by the two types of molds. The research finds that by optimizing the mold process, the die-casting quality of the dangerous section of the spacer rod can be effectively improved, and the best high-pressure die-casting scheme has been obtained through comparison. This research achievement provides technical support for enhancing the anti-vibration performance, anti-loosening reliability, short-circuit current thermal shock resistance, and anti-ultraviolet aging performance of damping isolation rods. It is of great significance for ensuring the stable operation of ultra-high voltage transmission lines and improving the production process level of damping isolation rods. Full article