Preparation Method Research Articles

Spray Black Coating for High‐Efficiency Light Absorption

AbstractBlack coatings have emerged as a research focus due to their excellent light absorption performance over a wide wavelength range. They play a crucial role in precision optical devices and solar thermal applications. Among various preparation methods, spray coating has attracted great attention due to its simple preparation process, low cost, scalability, and applicability to complex structures. Herein, the recent progress in spray black coatings is comprehensively presented. Various spray coating methods employed in the preparation of black coatings, including air spraying, ultrasonic spraying, electrostatic spraying, spray pyrolysis, and thermal spraying are summarized and compared. Black spray coatings based on metal sulfide, metal oxide, cermet, polymer, and carbon are then reviewed. In addition to the intrinsic absorption properties of the black coatings, light‐trapping structures are key to achieving high‐efficiency light absorption. Typical structural design strategies for enhancing absorption are highlighted. Moreover, the trade‐off between absorptance and adhesion in the design of robust spray black coatings is indicated. The remaining challenges and outlook for the spray black coatings are discussed. This review is expected to provide valuable guidelines for the future development of spray black coatings.

The Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Mouse Models Infected with Clostridioides difficile from the Perspective of Metabolic Profiling: A Systematic Review

Objectives: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in treating Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in mouse models using a metabolomics-based approach. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) from 10 April 2024 to 17 June 2024. Out of the 460 research studies reviewed and subjected to exclusion criteria, only 5 studies met all the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Results: These studies consistently showed that FMT effectively restored gut microbiota and altered metabolic profiles, particularly increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and secondary bile acids, which inhibited C. difficile growth. FMT proved superior to antibiotic and probiotic treatments in re-establishing a healthy gut microbiome, as evidenced by significant changes in the amino acid and carbohydrate levels. Despite its promise, variability in the outcomes—due to factors such as immune status, treatment protocols, and donor microbiome differences—underscores the need for standardization. Rather than pursuing immediate standardization, the documentation of factors such as donor and recipient microbiome profiles, preparation methods, and administration details could help identify optimal configurations for specific contexts and patient needs. In all the studies, FMT was successful in restoring the metabolic profile in mice. Conclusions: These findings align with the clinical data from CDI patients, suggesting that FMT holds potential as a therapeutic strategy for gut health restoration and CDI management. Further studies could pave the way for adoption in clinical practice.

Photocatalytic Composites Based on Biochar for Antibiotic and Dye Removal in Water Treatment

Many semiconductor photocatalysts are characterized by high photostability and non-toxicity but suffer from the limited excitation in the UV part of the spectrum and the fast recombination of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs. To improve the above properties, biochar-supported composite photocatalysts have recently attracted much attention. Compared with the pure photocatalyst, the biochar-enriched catalyst has superior specific surface area and high porosity, catalytic efficiency, stability, and recoverability. Biochar can be obtained from various carbon-rich plant or animal wastes by different thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, torrefaction, and gasification. The main features of biochar are its low price, non-toxicity, and the large number of surface functional groups. This paper systematically presents the latest research results on the method of preparation of various composites in terms of the choice of photoactive species and the source of biomass, their physico-chemical properties, the mechanism of the photocatalytic activity, and degradation efficiency in the treatment of organic contaminants (dyes and antibiotics) in an aquatic environment. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the role of biochar in improving the photocatalytic activity of photoactive species.

RNA-seq reproducibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in laboratory models of cystic fibrosis.

Reproducibility is a fundamental expectation in science and enables investigators to have confidence in their research findings and the ability to compare data from disparate sources, but evaluating reproducibility can be elusive. For example, generating RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data includes multiple steps where variance can be introduced. Thus, it is unclear if RNA-seq data from different sources can be validly compared. While most studies on RNA-seq reproducibility focus on eukaryotes, we evaluate bias in bacteria using Pseudomonas aeruginosa gene expression data from five laboratory models of cystic fibrosis. We leverage a large data set that includes samples prepared in three different laboratories and paired data sets where the same sample was sequenced using at least two different sequencing pipelines. We report here that expression data are highly reproducible across laboratories. In addition, while samples sequenced with different sequencing pipelines showed significantly more variance in expression profiles than between labs, gene expression was still highly reproducible between sequencing pipelines. Further investigation of expression differences between two sequencing pipelines revealed that library preparation methods were the largest source of error, though analyses to identify the source of this variance were inconclusive. Consistent with the reproducibility of expression between sequencing pipelines, we found that different pipelines detected over 80% of the same differentially expressed genes with large expression differences between conditions. Thus, bacterial RNA-seq data from different sources can be validly compared, facilitating the ability to advance understanding of bacterial behavior and physiology using the wide array of publicly available RNA-seq data sets.IMPORTANCERNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has revolutionized biology, but many steps in RNA-seq workflows can introduce variance, potentially compromising reproducibility. While reproducibility in RNA-seq has been thoroughly investigated in eukaryotes, less is known about pipelines and workflows that introduce variance and biases in bacterial RNA-seq data. By leveraging Pseudomonas aeruginosa transcriptomes in cystic fibrosis models from different laboratories and sequenced with different sequencing pipelines, we directly assess sources of bacterial RNA-seq variance. RNA-seq data were highly reproducible, with the largest variance due to sequencing pipelines, specifically library preparation. Different sequencing pipelines detected overlapping differentially expressed genes, especially those with large expression differences between conditions. This study confirms that different approaches to preparing and sequencing bacterial RNA libraries capture comparable transcriptional profiles, supporting investigators' ability to leverage diverse RNA-seq data sets to advance their science.

Review: The potential of nanocellulose composites for sustainable food packaging applications

AbstractThis work addresses the innovative use of nanocellulose (NC) as an environmentally friendly and sustainable substitute for conventional food packaging made of polymers. The review delves into the synthesis approaches of NC/polymer‐mixed composites. The characterization of these composites is discussed, highlighting their mechanical properties, biodegradability, and characteristics of a barrier toward oxygen, moisture, and oil resistance. The review further explores the development of active packaging, which utilizes NC's capacity to preserve and release active ingredients like antioxidants and antimicrobials to lengthen the amount of time that food supplies can be stored. The evolution of intelligent and smart packaging is also explored, showcasing how NC‐based packaging can incorporate indicators for freshness, temperature, pH, and spoilage, offering customers and retailers knowledge accessibility in real time. The opportunities and problems facing NC in food packaging are discussed, and the need for more study and advancement is highlighted to reach its full potential. For those interested in sustainable food packaging solutions, researchers, business professionals, and policymakers will find this thorough review to be highly insightful.Highlights It covers examples of polymer composites filled with NC. Mention the preparation methods and characterization of NC‐based composites. Highlight the promising areas of NC/polymer composite applications in smart food packaging Concludes the challenges and prospects of NC composite in food packaging.

Remediation of Cr(VI) Polluted Groundwater Using Zero-Valent Iron Composites: Preparation, Modification, Mechanisms, and Environmental Implications

The extensive application of chromium (Cr) in many industries has inevitably resulted in the release of Cr(VI) into the groundwater environment, thus posing damage to the ecosystem and human health. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been widely studied and applied in the remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated water as an ideal material with high reductive capacity, which enables the transformation of teratogenic and carcinogenic Cr(VI) into less toxic Cr(III). This review comprehensively summarizes the preparation and modification methods of nZVI Cr(VI) removal performance and mechanisms by nZVI and modified nZVI materials. The field applications of nZVI-based materials, such as combining the injection well and the permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to remove Cr(VI) in groundwater, have been reported. Subsequently, the potential toxicity of nZVI-based materials to organisms during environmental application has been highlighted in the current study. Finally, the review outlines potential improvements and explores future directions for the use of nZVI-based materials in groundwater contamination remediation.

State-of-the-Art Carbon-Nanotubes-Reinforced Copper-Based Composites: The Interface Design of CNTs and Cu Matrix

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-reinforced copper-based composites (CNT/Cu) have been extensively investigated due to their exceptional theoretical electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. However, the actual performance of these composites has consistently fallen short of theoretical expectations. This discrepancy primarily arises from the inability to achieve direct chemical bonding between copper and carbon nanotubes or to alloy them effectively. Consequently, this leads to interference in electron and phonon transmission at the interface between the two materials, adversely affecting their electrical and thermal conductivity as well as other properties. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on optimizing and regulating the interfacial interactions between carbon nanotubes and the copper matrix to enhance overall performance while also exploring potential applications. This article reviews recent advancements from an interface regulation perspective, summarizing typical interfacial characteristics such as physical interfaces, chemical bonding, and metallurgical bonding along with their respective preparation methods and effects on performance enhancement. Furthermore, a novel microstructural design of CNT/Cu is put forward, where amorphous CNTs (aCNTs) were utilized as the reinforcing phase to form a nanoscale networked composite interface. This not only enables Cu to adhere to the aCNTs’ sidewall but also fills the sidewall within them, with the aim of significantly strengthening the interfacial bonding strength of CNT/Cu and achieving comprehensive improvement of the composite material properties.

Exploring the noodle‐making potential and digestibility of native oat starch and citric acid cross‐linked resistant oat starch

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the noodle‐making potential of oat starch and how addition of chemically modified oat starch affects quality and digestibility. An oat starch noodle preparation method was optimized and subsequently used for substituting varying levels of native oat starch (NOS) with citrate‐modified oat starch (COS) (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%).FindingsResults indicated that NOS noodles showed similar cooking loss, cooking time, and color to commercial rice noodles. Significant differences emerged between COS and NOS noodles concerning cooking time, adhesiveness, and color values. Noodles with a 25% substitution of COS demonstrated favorable quality characteristics. In terms of in vitro digestibility, noodles with COS substituted at 25% of NOS released the least amount of glucose over the 300‐min digestion period compared to NOS and commercial noodles.ConclusionsThe partial replacement of NOS with COS significantly reduced the cooking time of noodles without affecting their adhesiveness and color compared to NOS‐only noodles. Furthermore, the in vitro digestion experiments showed that partial substitution of NOS with COS results in lower glucose release than NOS‐only noodles, which is desirable for the management of postprandial blood glucose levels.Significance and NoveltyOat starch by‐products show potential for human consumption through starch noodle preparation, presenting promising avenues for the utilization of oat starch within the food industry.

A novel tape-free sample preparation method for human osteochondral cryosections for high throughput hyperspectral imaging.

Understanding the osteochondral junction, where non-mineralised cartilage and mineralised bone converge, is crucial for joint health. Current sample preparation techniques are insufficient for detailed spatial hyperspectral imaging analysis. Using the enhanced Kawamoto method, we used the super cryo embedding medium's temperature-dependent properties to transfer high-quality tissue samples onto slides for spatial imaging analysis. We transferred osteochondral samples using a tape-free system and successfully tested them in hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Safranin-O, nanomechanical assessments and nano-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) mapping. This protocol elucidates the structural and elemental gradients, mechanical characteristics and distinctive biochemical layering, making it a useful tool for analysing biochemical properties' co-distribution in healthy and diseased situations.

Effect of the Nanoparticles h-BN on Improving the Tribological Properties of Biodegradable Vegetable Oils

Lubricants are substances that reduce friction and heat dissipation between operating machine parts. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the possibility of improving the tribological properties of biodegradable vegetable oils. The objects of the research were lubricating oils produced based on selected plant oils (rapeseed, sunflower, corn, soybean) and Priolube ester oil containing nanoparticle hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and a dispersant. The research assesses the physicochemical properties, the wear load limit, the welding load, and the friction coefficient of the prepared oil compositions. The article compares the results with those obtained during the CB30 engine and PAO4 oil tests. The test results confirm that lubricating oils prepared in this way are characterized by promising tribological properties, are easy to prepare, and are environmentally friendly. The appropriate method of preparation has a significant impact on the quality of the obtained oils.

Characterization of Ti-MOF derived TiOx assembled with different carboxylic acid organic ligands and differences in their CO2 photothermal catalytic reduction performance

The photothermal catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into fuel gas is a promising technology for simultaneously addressing environmental and energy challenges. Currently, widely used metal oxide-based catalysts, such as TiO2, often show significant performance variations depending on the preparation methods. Therefore, developing metal oxides with superior photothermal catalytic properties is a key approach to producing high-performance composite catalysts. This article discusses the preparation of high-performance metal oxide catalysts derived from MOFs. By regulating four different carboxylic acid organic ligands to assemble with Ti-O clusters into various precursors, TiOx was derived and prepared. Techniques such as XRD, infrared spectroscopy, XPS,TEM, SEM, N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, CO2-TPD, H2-TPR, PL spectrum, Raman spectra, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical characterization, and others were used to comprehensively explore the structure, surface properties, and photoelectric properties of the derivatives influenced by the organic ligands. Derivatives were subjected to photothermal catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide in hydrogen rich gas without metal loading, and the intermediate pathway of the reaction was investigated through in situ DRIFTS spectra. Research has shown that organic ligands have a significant impact on the morphology, surface properties, and optoelectronic properties of derivatives. The TiOx derived from the precursor assembled with 2-aminoterephthalic acid as an organic ligand has a larger specific surface area, abundant oxygen vacancies, excellent photoelectric conversion ability, and surface electron migration performance. Under the condition of coupled light irradiation at 400 ℃, a CO yield of 4944.81 μmol/g was achieved, with a selectivity of 99.89 %. The reaction follows the formate pathway. This study provides valuable reference for the development and modification of high-performance TiO2 based catalysts.

Large-scale and green synthesis of flower-like MgO from waste magnesite activated PMS for oxidation of doxycycline

Large quantities of MgO materials have been obtained by roasting waste magnesite. Compared with the traditional MgO synthesis method, the preparation method in this paper is simple, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and can be produced on a large scale. XRD and XPS results show that the main component of the magnesite roasted product is MgO. The SEM results show that after hydration treatment and secondary roasting, the morphology of MgO changed from granular to flower-like. XRD and XPS before and after the reaction showed that a hydration reaction (Mg(OH)2) could take place when MgO activates PMS. The activity results showed that MgO was able to remove 96 % of the doxycycline within 30 min, which was significantly higher than that of the conventional MOF materials and comparable to the ZIF-67 activity of the cobalt-based MOF materials. In addition, MgO has superior catalytic activity for Congo red (90.59 %), methyl orange (40.04 %), and tetracycline (98.85 %). Quenching experiments revealed 1O2 as the main active species. The material has good potential for practical applications as shown by anion interference experiments, pH and cycling experiments. The optimum reaction condition is when the MgO content is 0.6 g/L and the PMS content is 0.6 g/L.

Impact of consecutive steps through the food chain on the quality of Brussels sprouts, with a special focus on preparation and reheating as applied in large-scale kitchens

This study investigated the impact of preparation processes (as applied in large-scale kitchens) on the resulting sensory and health-related quality aspects starting from industrially blanched and frozen Brussels sprouts. A single (steaming) and a double-heat (steaming and reheating) preparation were considered. Consumers consume vegetables both whole and as disintegrated (puree-like) systems. Hence, in this study, two distinct pretreatment conditions (i.e., intact Brussels sprouts and Brussels sprouts puree) included in the preparation processes. It was observed that steaming intact Brussels sprouts via both preparation methods did affect the quality, but only to a limited extent, possibly explained by the fact that the starting material was blanched. Pretreatment was observed to be a determinative step, as also observed in the fact that the quality of puree-systems was more affected upon processing compared to the quality of the intact Brussels sprouts. GSLs and volatile profiles were indeed not observed to be affected largely upon preparation and reheating processing. However, vitamin C concentration did lead to loss of 38-45% due to heat and exposure to oxygen. In conclusion, pretreatment (e.g., blanching and disintegrating) is considered the most determinative step in affecting the resulting quality of Brussels sprouts, which can be kept in mind for industrial and home practices.

In situ preparation of carbon/zeolite composite materials derived from coal gasification fine slag for removing malachite green: Performance evaluation and mechanism insight

The stockpiling of coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) and the discharge of organic wastewater pose serious environmental threats. The complex synthesis process and limited pollutant removal capacity of CGFS-based adsorbents impede their efficient utilization in organic wastewater purification. In this work, carbon/zeolite composite materials (CZCM) derived from CGFS were prepared in situ using a one-pot method without further crystallization, achieving an ultra-high adsorption capacity (9705 mg/g) and excellent renewability for malachite green (MG). CZCM was identified as a typical mesoporous material with an abundant pore structure, facilitating the migration of MG within the material. Notably, various metal elements (e.g., iron and calcium) and chemical groups (e.g., carboxyl and hydroxyl) from CGFS were retained through this novel preparation method, providing additional adsorption sites and enhancing MG adsorption. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics results indicated that physisorption and multilayer adsorption were the primary adsorption modes of MG by CZCM, with the adsorption rate limited by internal diffusion. Furthermore, the adsorption process was found to be exothermic, spontaneous, and entropy-decreasing. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the exceptional adsorption performance of MG by CZCM was primarily attributed to electrostatic attraction and ion exchange, with hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions also playing significant roles. This study provides new insights into the development of CGFS-based adsorbents for organic wastewater treatment, promoting the efficient conversion and practical application of CGFS.

Synergistic antimicrobial potential of essential oil nanoemulsion and ultrasound and application in food industry: A review

Essential oils such as those from clove or oregano are considered as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food ingredients and natural sanitizers to control the growth of microorganisms. However, their utilization in food industry is seriously limited since their poor water solubility and toxicological effects at high doses. Generally, appropriate preparing method to make them into nanoemulsion as sanitizers has great potential to overcome these drawbacks. As a non-thermal technology, ultrasound is able to inactivate microorganisms. And the synergistic hurdle technology of ultrasound and essential oil nanoemulsion has acquired importance within the food industry because it is reasonably effective and environmentally-friendly. This paper reviews the preparation method and physicochemical properties of plant essential oil nanoemulsion and focuses on the research progress on the synergistic antimicrobial effect of nanoemulsion and ultrasound and their application in food industry, hoping to provide further research with detailed information and potential utilization of the technique.

Time-Lapse Imaging of Asymmetric Spindle Positioning During Endothelial Tip Cell Division in Angiogenesis In Vivo.

The branching of new blood vessels by angiogenesis is critical to the development, growth, and repair of most vertebrate tissues and is frequently dysregulated in disease. At its core, angiogenesis is driven by the collective migration of leading "tip" and follower "stalk" endothelial cells. Recent work reveals that this collective movement is coordinated by asymmetric tip cell divisions that generate daughters of distinct size, signaling capacity and tip-stalk behaviors. Polarized mitotic spindle positioning is critical to generating such asymmetries in daughter cell size. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of vertebrate spindle movement are often difficult to explore using in vivo systems. Here we describe a method for the sample preparation, live-imaging and data analysis of endothelial cell mitotic spindle positioning in developing zebrafish embryos. This method enables single-cell and population-level spindle dynamics to be monitored and quantified, both in wild-type or genetically/pharmacologically perturbed embryos. Moreover, this approach can be easily adapted for live imaging of spindle dynamics in other zebrafish embryonic tissues that experience similar asymmetric divisions, such as the trunk neural crest.

Laboratory mix preparation and investigation of mechanical behaviour of polyurethane-bound porous rubber pavement

With the rise in stormwater runoffs, permeable pavement like polyurethane-bound porous rubber pavement (PRP) offers a viable solution for urban stormwater management. Composed of stone and recycled crumb rubber aggregates bound by polyurethane, PRP features high air voids. This study explores PRP’s mechanical behaviour and freeze–thaw durability in cold climates, essential for sustainable urban infrastructure. We developed methods for sample preparation and air void assessment in PRP and conducted tests on compressive and indirect tensile strength, plus moisture-induced damage. Two scenarios were investigated: one examined four new mixes of varied compositions, and the other focused on mixes with different binders (aliphatic and aromatic). Our investigation reveals insights into PRP’s mechanical behaviour under colder climate conditions. The study shows that higher proportions of stone aggregates and binders enhance mechanical strength, while increased rubber content improves freeze–thaw durability. Furthermore, we found that different binders affect strength variations. The study concludes PRP is effective for low-traffic pavements in colder, freeze–thaw regions.

New strokes to the portrait of inactivated actin

In addition to the well-known monomeric and polymeric forms of actin there is another unique thermodynamically stable state of this protein, called "inactivated actin" (I-actin). I-actin is formed at moderate concentration of a denaturant, release of Ca2+ ions and /or ATP, or after heating. This state is a monodisperse associate and it has the same spectral characteristics regardless of the method of preparation. The interest in I-actin arises from the discovery of similar-sized short oligomers of actin in the cell nucleus, which structurally differ from polymeric actin. In this work, we investigated the intramolecular mobility of I-actin using the time-resolved anisotropy method. Our findings indicate that its tryptophan residues participate in structural oscillations, although their correlation time is significantly longer than that of native actin. Using the dynamic light scattering, we demonstrated that I-actin obtained by heating possesses the same dimensions as I-actin in 1.8 M GdnHCl. Using the fluorescent probe ANS, it was shown that I-actin has a unique structure with hydrophobic pockets on the surface and tryptophan residues in the polar internal regions of the structure.

Oleogel formation based on natural insoluble soybean fiber using capillary force: A novel strategy and application

Insoluble dietary fibers can be used as oleogelators to form oleogels via molecular self-assembly following chemical modification. However, the limitations of traditional chemical modifications and oleogel preparation methods significantly restrict their practical application. This study proposed a novel method to directly form edible oleogels using natural soybean insoluble fiber particles as oil-forming agents and water as a secondary fluid via the capillary suspension force between particles. The results showed that when the particle fraction was 15 % and the secondary fluid content was 0.2, a strong capillary suspension force could be formed to maintain the oil holding capacity of oleogels. The sedimentation coefficient analysis showed that adding particles and secondary fluids significantly affected the oleogel stability. The polarity of the oils, as well as the ionic strength and pH of the secondary fluids, influenced the rheological properties of oleogels, which correlated with the interfacial tension between the secondary fluids and oils. Moreover, the stable oleogels showed their potential as excellent solid fat substitutes in the preparation of breads (specific volume = 2.029 ± 0.114 cm3/g, weight loss = 12.2 ± 2.6 %, and hardness = 3.321 ± 0.055 N). This study highlighted that insoluble dietary fiber can form oleogels via capillary suspension, which is a relatively rapid and simple strategy. Additionally, it provided a solid foundation for the comprehensive utilization of soybean processing byproducts and the transformation of traditional food-specific oils and fats.

Copper slag based catalytic material was prepared using a one-pot method to efficiently activate of peroxymonosulfate for degradation of carbamazepine

Smelt slag-based environmental catalytic materials offer a sustainable and valuable approach to solid waste management. In this study, a novel peroxymonosulfate (PMS) catalyst (MCT-2) was prepared from copper slag (MCT-1) by a non-calcined method. Subsequently, the MCT/PMS-AOP catalytic system was established. The copper slag, mainly composed of Si, Ca, Mg, Fe and O, was converted into MCT-2 by hydrothermal treatment, NaOH etching and edta-2na-induced crystallization, and finally, the molecular self-loading of MCT was achieved by the "one-pot method" under hydrothermal conditions. MCT-2 exhibits a layered surface morphology and CaFeO3 phase. In the MCT-2/PMS system, the dominant reactive oxygen species (ROSs) generated were SO4•− and HO•. The performance of the system was evaluated using CBZ as a simulated pollutant and actual river water as a carrier, and it was found that MCT-2/PMS degraded CBZ, BPA, DCF and ATZ up to 99%. Further mechanistic studies showed that MCT-2 has relatively high catalytic activity and the lowest reaction energy barrier compared with similar materials. The easy availability of raw materials, environmentally friendly preparation method, and high degradation efficiency make MCT/PMS-AOP have a broad application prospect.