Recent insights into bonding technologies in restructured meat production: A review.

Restructuring meat products is one way of improving material utilization and economic efficiency. In this process of combining meat pieces or granules to form larger pieces of meat, the additives and processing techniques employed in bonding the restructured meat play crucial roles in the formation of the structure and appearance of the meat while simultaneously reducing nutrient and water loss and enhancing flavor. This study reviews the adhesives commonly used in meat recombination technology, including transglutaminase, glucono-delta-lactone, fibrin, gelatin, and gel emulsifiers such as hydrophilic colloid, phosphate, starch, and cellulose. Additionally, processing technologies such as high-pressure, ultrasonic, vacuum-assisted, microwave, and three-dimensional printing are discussed, with emphasis on their principles, properties, functionalities, and safety. The study further summarizes the application and research progress of various bonding techniques in restructured meat. It analyzes the advantages, challenges, and development prospects of these techniques to provide support for further research in this field.

Exploring the role of static magnetic field in supercooling storage from the viewpoint of meat quality and microbial community.

In order to explore the application prospects of static magnetic field (SMF) combined with supercooling in meat preservation, this study proposed a novel method of supercooling assisted by a stationary magnetic field (SMF + supercooling) for the preservation of chilled pork, evaluating its cooling rate and quality changes (e.g., water holding capacity, color, pH, and TVB-N), as well as the evolution trend of the microbiota. The results showed that SMF + supercooling significantly (P < 0.05) improved the cooling rate of pork. Compared to chilling and supercooling, SMF + supercooling significantly delayed the increase of TVB-N and TVC on the 12th day of storage (P < 0.05). SMF + supercooling treatment achieves the maintenance of pork water-holding capacity by inhibiting water migration, reducing drip loss, cooking loss, and centrifugal loss of pork. The 16S rDNA bacteria flora analysis demonstrated that SMF + supercooling treatment reduced the relative abundance of spoilage bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas, delaying the deterioration of pork quality caused by microbial growth. The SMF + supercooling treatment can be considered a novel refrigeration preservation method that delays the deterioration of pork quality and extends its shelf life.

Heavy-Atom-Free Covalent Organic Frameworks for Organic Room-Temperature Phosphorescence via Förster and Dexter Energy Transfer Mechanism.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with their accessible nanoscale porosity, selectable building blocks, and precisely engineered topology, offer unique benefits in the design of room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials. However, their potential has been limited by phosphorescence quenching caused by interlayer π-π stacking interactions. This paper presents a novel strategy to enhance RTP in heavy-atom-free COFs by employing a donor-acceptor (D-A) system that leverages the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and Dexter energy transfer (DET) mechanisms. Among the materials investigated, the best-performing COF exhibits a phosphorescence lifetime of 4.35 ms at room temperature. Spectral analysis, structural analysis, and theoretical calculations indicate the presence of intralayer FRET processes as well as interlayer DET processes within the D-A COF system. Potential anti-counterfeiting applications are explored by exploiting the unique phosphorescent properties of these materials. Additionally, the inherent permanent porosity of COFs presents new opportunities for future development and application. This strategy offers many promising prospects for advancing the RTP technology in COF materials and broadens their potential applications in various fields.

Nonequilibrium Lattice Dynamics of Individual and Attached PbSe Quantum Dots under Photoexcitation.

Quantum dot (QD) solids are emerging materials for many optoelectronic applications. To enhance interdot coupling and charge transport, surface ligands can be removed, allowing individual QDs to be attached along specific crystal orientations (termed "oriented attachment"). Optimizing the electronic and optical properties of QD solids demands a comprehensive understanding of the nanoscale energy flow in individual and attached QDs under photoexcitation. In this work, we employed ultrafast electron diffraction to directly measure how oriented attachment along ⟨100⟩ directions affects the nonequilibrium lattice dynamics of lead selenide QDs. The oriented attachment anisotropically alters the ultrafast energy relaxation along specific crystal axes. Along the ⟨100⟩ directions, both the lattice deformation and atomistic random motions are suppressed in comparison with those of individual QDs. Conversely, the effects are enhanced along the unattached ⟨111⟩ directions due to ligand removal. The oriented attachment switches the major lattice thermalization pathways from ⟨100⟩ to ⟨111⟩ directions.

Optically Mediated Nonvolatile Resistive Memory Device Based on Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by tunable porosity, high surface area, and diverse chemical compositions, offer unique prospects for applications in optoelectronic devices. However, the prevailing research on thin-film devices utilizing MOFs has predominantly focused on aspects such as information storage and photosensitivity, often neglecting the integration of the advantages inherent in both photonics and electronics to enhance optical memory. This work demonstrates a light-mediated resistive memory device based on a highly oriented porphyrin-based MOFs film, in which the resistance state of the memristor is modulated by light, realizing the integration of the perception and storage of optical information. The memristor shows excellent performance with a wide light range of 405-785 nm and a persistent photoconductivity phenomenon up to 8.3 × 103 s. Further mechanistic studies have revealed that the resistive switching effect in the memristor is primarily associated with the reversible formation and annihilation of Ag conductive filaments.

No causal association between the volume of strenuous exercise and coronary atherosclerosis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Several observational studies have shown that high-volume and high-intensity exercise training increases the prevalence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis, but the causal effect still remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the causal relationship between the volume of strenuous exercise (SE) and coronary atherosclerosis (CA) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Method: The exposure factors were two basic parameters of the volume of strenuous exercise (duration and frequency of strenuous exercise), the outcome factor was coronary atherosclerosis, and the relevant genetic loci were extracted from the summary data of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) as the instrumental variables, and MR analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method, the weighted median method, and the MR-egger method. Sensitivity analyses were performed using heterogeneity analysis, pleiotropy analysis, and the "leave-one-out" method. The original results were tested using other coronary atherosclerosis data sets. Result: IVW results showed no causal association between duration of strenuous exercise (DOSE) [OR = 0.9937, 95% CI (0.9847, 1.0028), P = 0.1757] and frequency of strenuous exercise (FOSE) in the last 4 weeks [OR = 0.9930, 95% CI (0.9808, 1.0054), P = 0.2660] and coronary atherosclerosis. All of the above results were validated with other coronary atherosclerosis data sets. Conclusion: The present study supports that the causal association of duration and frequency of SE with CA was not found, and provides valuable insights into the choice of scientific and correct volume of SE to cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Inkjet Printing Photoresist with Ultralow Viscosity on Silicon Wafers for Uniform Coating.

Inkjet printing is introduced into the photoresist coating process for uniform photoresist film formation on silicon wafers with the in-house inkjet experimental prototype. The optimization of a dual negative voltage waveform is proposed to achieve stable droplet jetting for the ultralow viscosity (0.71 mPa·s) photoresist with a 1:10 dilution ratio employed in the semiconductor packaging processes. Moreover, the maximum droplet jetting velocity can reach 9.51 m/s, and the droplet volume is controlled at ∼6.5 pL with excellent droplet concentration. The uniform film of the AZ P4620 photoresist is coated on silicon wafers by quantitatively exploring and optimizing the printhead driving frequency and movement velocity utilizing the droplet deposition model and experimental analysis. Results show that the optimal inkjet parameters with 5 kHz in jetting frequency and 6 mm/s in motion velocity can obtain a film evenness index of 4.81% with the thickness of 0.945 µm, which exhibits a more uniform photoresist film than the spray coating method. The study not only expands the application of the inkjet printing technique but also offers an alternative for photoresist coating in the photolithography process.

Optimizing preparation of low-NaCl protein gels from goose meat and understanding synergistic effects of pH/NaCl in improving gel characteristics.

This study explored the feasibility of partially substituting NaCl with MgCl2 in preparing gel products from goose meat. Furthermore, the effects of synergistic interaction between different pH levels and NaCl concentrations on the structure and characteristics of the gels were explored by analyzing their secondary structure, microstructure, and water-distribution properties. The results showed that NaCl could be partially substituted by MgCl2, with the optimal preparation conditions: NaCl (0.83 mol/L), pH (7.3), MgCl2 (0.04 mol/L), heating temperature (79 °C), heating time (20 min), and solid-liquid ratio (1:3). Furthermore, the pH had a more significant impact on the gels' structure and characteristics than did NaCl concentration. Thus, our optimized method can reduce the usage of NaCl in the gel products while at the same time improving the characteristics of gel products under low-NaCl conditions by lowering pH, laying a solid theoretical foundation for producing low-NaCl protein gel products from goose meat.

Femtosecond Electron Diffraction Reveals Local Disorder and Local Anharmonicity in Thermoelectric SnSe.

In addition to long-range periodicity, local disorder, with local structures deviating from the average lattice structure, dominates the physical properties of phonons, electrons, and spin subsystems in crystalline functional materials. Experimentally characterizing the 3D atomic configuration of such a local disorder and correlating it with advanced functions remains challenging. Using a combination of femtosecond electron diffraction, structure factor calculations, and time-dependent density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations, the static local disorder and its local anharmonicity in thermoelectric SnSe are identified exclusively. The ultrafast structural dynamics reveal that the crystalline SnSe is composed of multiple locally correlated configurations dominated by the static off-symmetry displacements of Sn (≈0.4 Å) and such a set of locally correlated structures is termed local disorder. Moreover, the anharmonicity of this local disorder induces an ultrafast atomic displacement within 100 fs, indicating the signature of probable THz Einstein oscillators. The identified local disorder and local anharmonicity suggest a glass-like thermal transport channel, which updates the fundamental insight into the long-debated ultralow thermal conductivity of SnSe. The method of revealing the 3D local disorder and the locally correlated interactions by ultrafast structural dynamics will inspire broad interest in the construction of structure-property relationships in material science.

The application of encapsulation technology in the food Industry: Classifications, recent Advances, and perspectives.

Encapsulation technology has been extensively used to enhance the stability, specificity, and bioavailability of essential food ingredients. Additionally, it plays a vital role in improving product quality and reducing production costs. This study presents a comprehensive classification of encapsulation techniques based on the state of different cores (solid, liquid, and gaseous) and offers a detailed description and analysis of these encapsulation methods. Specifically, it introduces the diverse applications of encapsulation technology in food, encompassing areas such as antioxidant, protein activity, physical stability, controlled release, delivery, antibacterial, and probiotics. The potential impact of encapsulation technology is expected to make encapsulation technology a major process and research hotspot in the food industry. Future research directions include applications of encapsulation for enzymes, microencapsulation of biosensors, and novel technologies such as self-assembly. This study provides a valuable theoretical reference for the in-depth research and wide application of encapsulation technology in the food industry.

Acoustic modulation and non-contact atomization of droplets based on the Fabry-Pérot resonator.

A non-contact ultrasonic atomization based on the Fabry-Pérot resonator is proposed to obtain atomized droplets with a reduced droplet diameter and concentrated droplet distributions. To better understand the mechanism inside the acoustic chamber, the acoustic-fluid interactions are numerically explored inside the Fabry-Pérot resonator to achieve the precise modulation of droplets. The influence of the acoustic chamber's geometry and the ultrasonic properties on the atomized droplet diameter and distributions is investigated, aiming to establish matching relationships between the atomized droplet diameter and the geometry of the acoustic chamber. The dynamic behaviors of droplet breakup are observed with a high-speed camera to reveal the atomization mechanism of liquid droplets in high-intensity acoustic fields. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed non-contact atomization can achieve atomized water droplets with a median diameter of ∼24 µm, providing an alternative to ultrasonic spray.

The interaction between DNA methylation and tumor immune microenvironment: from the laboratory to clinical applications.

DNA methylation is a pivotal epigenetic modification that affects gene expression. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) comprises diverse immune cells and stromal components, creating a complex landscape that can either promote or inhibit tumor progression. In the TIME, DNA methylation has been shown to play a critical role in influencing immune cell function and tumor immune evasion. DNA methylation regulates immune cell differentiation, immune responses, and TIME composition Targeting DNA methylation in TIME offers various potential avenues for enhancing immune cytotoxicity and reducing immunosuppression. Recent studies have demonstrated that modification of DNA methylation patterns can promote immune cell infiltration and function. However, challenges persist in understanding the precise mechanisms underlying DNA methylation in the TIME, developing selective epigenetic therapies, and effectively integrating these therapies with other antitumor strategies. In conclusion, DNA methylation of both tumor cells and immune cells interacts with the TIME, and thus affects clinical efficacy. The regulation of DNA methylation within the TIME holds significant promise for the advancement of tumor immunotherapy. Addressing these challenges is crucial for harnessing the full potential of epigenetic interventions to enhance antitumor immune responses and improve patient outcomes.

From amino acid analysis to improved gel properties: The role of dl-valine in Landaise goose myofibrillar protein.

The impact of exogenous limiting amino acids on protein gel formation was investigated to enhance the gelation properties of Landaise goose myofibrillar protein (MP). Amino acid composition and gel properties were analyzed, and homologous protein modeling and molecular docking techniques were used to simulate binding sites. Valine was identified as the first limiting amino acid. The addition of 0.075 % dl-valine proved optimal to enhance the gel strength (59.5 g) and water retention (76.76 %) of MP gels. Hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds were found to be the main forces maintaining conformational stability of the MP-dl-valine gels. The propyl group of dl-valine can form hydrophobic interactions with protein, contributing to stable complexes. DL valine could also strengthen chemical bonds and secondary structure, convert free water to immobile water, and improve the microstructure of the gel. Therefore, valine can be utilized as a nutritional and gel enhancer in Landaise goose meat products.

Determination of Aflatoxins in Milk by PS-MWCNT/OH Composite Nanofibers Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with HPLC-FLD.

In this work, a sensitive analytical method based on packed-nanofiber solid-phase extraction (PFSPE), after derivatization with trichloroacetic acid and high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD), has been established for the determination of aflatoxins (AFs) in milk. Polystyrene polymeric multi-walled carbon nanotube (PS-MWCNT/OH) composite nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning and used to prepare homemade extraction columns. The extraction efficiency of the HPLC-FLD analysis method was sufficiently investigated and validated. After the implementation of optimal conditions, all of the analytes were separated efficiently and the components of the milk matrix did not disturb the determination. The obtained linear ranges of the calibration curves were 0.2-20 ng/mL for AFTB1 and AFTG2, 0.1-10 ng/mL for AFTB2, and 0.4-40 ng/mL for AFTG1. The recoveries ranged between 80.22% and 96.21%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the intra-day and inter-day results ranged from 2.81-6.43% to 3.42-7.75%, respectively. Generally, 11 mg of sorbent and 200 µL of elution solvent were used to directly extract all of the AFs from the milk matrix. Reported herein is the first utilization of PS-MWCNT/OH-PFSPE HPLC-FLD to simultaneously analyze the occurrence of aflatoxins in milk.

An intracellular transporter OsNRAMP7 is required for distribution and accumulation of iron into rice grains.

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and human health. Plants have evolved an efficient transport system for absorbing and redistributing Fe from the soil to other organs; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying Fe loading into grains are poorly understood. Our study shows that OsNRAMP7, a member of the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) family, is a rice Fe transporter that localizes to the Golgi and trans-Golgi network (TGN). OsNRAMP7 was highly expressed in leaf blade, node I, pollen, and vascular tissues of almost tissues at the rice flowering stage. OsNRAMP7 knockdown by RNA interference (RNAi) increased Fe accumulation in the flag leaf blade, but decreased the Fe concentration in node I and rice grains. In addition, the knockdown of OsNRAMP7 also reduced grain fertility, pollen viability, and grain Fe concentration in the paddy fields; OsNRAMP7 overexpression significantly promoted Fe accumulation in the grains. Thus, our results suggest that OsNRAMP7 is required for the distribution and accumulation of Fe in rice grains and its overexpression could be a novel strategy for Fe biofortification in staple food crops.

Rational Design of Electron Transfer Kineties of CdS/Zn(impim) Dots-on-Rods for Efficient Visible-Light Reduced C-X Bond.

Halogenated organic compounds are a kind of common environmental pollutants. Photocatalytic dehalogenation of C-halogen (C-X) bonds to C-H bonds can not only control environmental pollution but also realize important organic conversion reactions. However, the electron transfer kinetics of photocatalytic reduction of the C-X bond for semiconductor/MOF composites has remained unexplored. Herein, we successfully synthesized CdS/Zn(impim) (MOF) dots-on-rods composite photocatalyst under mild conditions. Zn(impim) MOF consists of Zn(µ-N)4 clusters and imidazole derivative ligands. Zn(impim), as a carrier, is beneficial to the dispersion of CdS nanoparticles and avoiding the agglomeration of CdS nanoparticles. The photocatalytic performance of CdS/Zn(impim) composites for the reduction of the C-X bond is much higher than that of pure CdS or Zn(impim). This high activity is due to the high electron separation efficiency of CdS assisted by Zn(impim). Under visible light irradiation, Zn(impim) is not excited due to its wide band gap of 3.26 eV. Through metal-to-ligand charge transfer of Zn(µ-N)4 clusters, Zn(impim) accepts excited electrons from CdS because the Fermi energy level of CdS is more negative by Kelvin probe force microscopy. Moreover, fluorescence spectrum and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy reveal the related electron transfer kinetics in detail. In addition, the inherent porous structure of MOFs is beneficial to the adsorption of halogenated hydrocarbons, providing a suitable environment for the dehalogenation reaction, thus improving the activity. This work can further understand the electron transfer mechanism in semiconductor/MOF composites for photocatalytic halide dehalogenation.

Volume Deformation and Hydration Behavior of Ordinary Portland Cement/Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement Blends.

Blends of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement can be used to adjust the properties of cement for specific applications. In this study, CSA cement was used as a shrinkage-compensating admixture to improve the hydration behavior and performance (compressive strength and drying shrinkage) of OPC; the expansion behavior of the blended cement mortar was evaluate based on the saturation index of ettringite. The experimental results showed that incorporating CSA cement resulted in a delayed effect on the hydration of C3S, shortened the induction periods of the blended cement and decreased the setting time. The CSA cement also improved the early compressive strength and drying shrinkage of the OPC due to its compact microstructure. The drying shrinkage of the OPC mortar decreased by 27.8% when 6% CSA cement was used, but the formation of microcracks due to expansion could negatively impact its late compressive strength development and associated pore structures of the blends when the replacement content of CSA cement exceeded 6 wt.%. The results relevant to the expansion behavior of the CSA cements could induce crystallization stress, enhancing its resistance against shrinkage cracking.

Auger Recombination and Carrier-Lattice Thermalization in Semiconductor Quantum Dots under Intense Excitation.

A thorough understanding of the photocarrier relaxation dynamics in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is essential to optimize their device performance. However, resolving hot carrier kinetics under high excitation conditions with multiple excitons per dot is challenging because it convolutes several ultrafast processes, including Auger recombination, carrier-phonon scattering, and phonon thermalization. Here, we report a systematic study of the lattice dynamics induced by intense photoexcitation in PbSe QDs. By probing the dynamics from the lattice perspective using ultrafast electron diffraction together with modeling the correlated processes collectively, we can differentiate their roles in photocarrier relaxation. The results reveal that the observed lattice heating time scale is longer than that of carrier intraband relaxation obtained previously using transient optical spectroscopy. Moreover, we find that Auger recombination efficiently annihilates excitons and speeds up lattice heating. This work can be readily extended to other semiconductor QDs systems with varying dot sizes.

Extraction of Keratin from Pig Nails and Electrospinning of Keratin/Nylon6 Nanofibers for Copper (II) Adsorption.

In this study, keratins were extracted from pig nail waste via the reduction method for the first time, using L-cysteine as the reductant and urea as the lytic agent. Nylon6 and pig nail keratin were successfully combined via electrospinning to generate a series of nylon6/pig nail keratin nanofibers with a variety of keratin concentrations (0% to 8%, w/w). From the results, it was found that the best concentration was 6% (w/w). The morphologies of the electrospun nanofibers were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structural properties were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the thermal properties were described using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). These results confirmed that the nanofibers were composed of both polymeric phases. Finally, copper (II) was used as a model ion, and the nanofiber membranes exhibited a strong adsorption affinity for metal ions in the water samples. This study provides an important foundation for the application of nanofiber membranes in metal adsorption.