Optimisation of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of betalains and polyphenols from Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. Nutrisol

The present study optimised the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds from Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. Nutrisol. Influence of temperature (25.86–54.14 °C) and ultrasonic power densities (UPD) (76.01–273.99 mW/mL) on total betalains (BT), betacyanins (BC), betaxanthins (BX), total polyphenols (TP), antioxidant activity (AA), colour parameters (L*, a*, and b*), amaranthine (A), and isoamaranthine (IA) were evaluated using response surface methodology. Moreover, betalain extraction kinetics and mass transfer coefficients (K_La) were determined for each experimental condition. BT, BC, BX, TP, AA, b*, K_La, and A were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by temperature extraction and UPD, whereas L*, a*, and IA were only affected (p < 0.05) by temperature. All response models were significantly validated with regression coefficients (R²) ranging from 87.46 to 99.29%. BT, A, IA, and K_La in UAE were 1.38, 1.65, 1.50, and 29.93 times higher than determined using conventional extraction, respectively. Optimal UAE conditions were obtained at 41.80 °C and 188.84 mW/mL using the desired function methodology. Under these conditions, the experimental values for BC, BX, BT, TP, AA, L*, a*, b*, K_La, A, and IA were closely related to the predicted values, indicating the suitability of the developed quadratic models. This study proposes a simple and efficient UAE method to obtain betalains and polyphenols with high antioxidant activity, which can be used in several applications within the food industry.     

基于SWT方法的钢绞线索微动疲劳特性分析

为得到钢绞线索丝间接触区的应力场分布并预测微动疲劳裂纹萌生位置和微动疲劳寿命，本文利用参数化方法建立了精细化的钢绞线拉索有限元模型，包括整索模型和不同层丝间接触区域的局部精细化子模型．分析了钢绞线索在两种交变荷载工况下的应力场变化情况，并基于多轴疲劳SWT(Smith-Watson-Topper)临界平面法进行了疲劳特性分析和疲劳寿命预测．主要结论如下：钢绞线索内接触区边缘处的微动幅值较大，中心处几乎没有相对滑动，微动疲劳的初始裂纹萌生点位于接触区域边缘；经不同区域子模型分析比较，在轴向循环荷载作用下，外层钢丝的接触区域比内层钢丝更易发生微动疲劳损伤；在横向位移循环荷载作用下，同层钢丝因位置角度不同而产生了较大的疲劳特性差异，且相比轴向循环拉伸，该工况下最不利单丝的微动疲劳寿命更低；与非接触区域相比，接触区的疲劳寿命大幅降低，微动现象对钢绞线索的抗疲劳性能有明显降低作用．     

Experimental and computational studies of naphthyridine derivatives as corrosion inhibitor for N80 steel in 15% hydrochloric acid

The inhibition effect of three naphthyridine derivatives namely 2-amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile (ANC-1), 2-amino-4-(4-methylphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile (ANC-2) and 2-amino-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carbonitrile (ANC-3) as corrosion inhibitors for N80 steel in 15% HCl by using gravimetric, electrochemical techniques (EIS and potentiodynamic polarization), SEM, EDX and quantum chemical calculation. The order of inhibition efficiency is ANC-1>ANC-2>ANC-3. Potentiodynamic polarization reveals that these inhibitors are mixed type with predominant cathodic control. Studied inhibitors obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The quantum calculation is in good agreement with experimental results.     

Adsorption and dissociation of the methanethiol (CH3SH) molecule on the Fe(100) surface

These contributions explore interaction modes between the methanethoil (CH₃SH) molecule and the Fe(100) surface via implementing accurate density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the inclusion of van der Waals corrections. We consider three adsorption sites over the Fe(100) surface, namely, top(T), bridge (B), and hollow (H) sites as potential catalytic active sites for the molecular and dissociative adsorption of the CH₃SH molecule. The molecular adsorption structures are found to occupy either B or T sites with former sites holding higher stability by 0.17 eV. The inclusion of van der Waals corrections refound to slightly alter adsorption energies. For instance, adsorption energies increased by ~ 0.18 and ~ 0.21 eV for B and T structure, respectively, in reference to values obtained by the plain generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional. A stability ordering of the dissociation products was found to follow the sequence (CH₄, S) > (CH₃, S, H) > (─SCH_3, H) > (─CH₃, SH). The differential charge density distributions were examined to underpin prominent electronic contributing factors. Direct fission of C─S bond in the CH₃SH molecule attains exothermic values in the range 2.0 to 2.1 eV. The most energetically favorable sites for the surface-mediated fission of the thiol's S─H bond correspond to the structure where the ─SCH₃ and H are both situated on hollow sites with an adsorption energy of −2.43 eV. Overall, we found that inclusion of van der Waals functional to change the binding energies more noticeably in case of dissociative adsorption structures. The results presented herein should be instrumental in efforts that aim to design stand-alone Fe desulfurization catalysts.     

波形钢板-UHPC组合桥面板结构截面优化

对实腹式波形顶板-UHPC(超高性能混凝土)组合桥面板进行了改进, 采用空腹式结构建立波形钢板-UHPC组合桥面板有限元模型, 研究UHPC层厚度、波形钢板厚度、波形长度、下缘板宽度和波形高度等截面参数变化对组合桥面板受力特性的影响, 并确定其合理取值范围. 在此基础上, 通过理想点法对参数组合进行优化, 得到合理的参数匹配. 研究结果表明 相较于实腹式组合桥面板, 优化后的组合桥面板自重减小35%, 钢板弯折处应力减小16%; 相较于正交异性钢桥面板, 桥面板用钢量减小7%, 顶板与U肋连接位置应力减小47%.     

Isotopic Characterization of 100% Agave Tequila (Silver,Aged and Extra-Aged Class) for Its Use as an Additional Parameter in the Determination of the Authenticity of the Beverage Maturation Time

Isotopic ratios of δ¹³C_VPDB and δ¹⁸O_VSMOW have been used as an additional parameter to ensure the authenticity of the aging time of 100% agave tequila. For this purpose, 120 samples were isotopically analyzed (40 silver class, 40 aged class, and 40 extra-aged classes). The samples were obtained through a stratified sampling by proportional allocation, considering tequila producers from the main different regions of Jalisco, Mexico (Valles 41%, Altos Sur 31%, Cienega 16%, and Centro 12%). The results showed that the δ¹³C_VPDB was found in an average of −12.85 ‰ for all the analyzed beverages, with no significant difference between them. Since for all the tested samples the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety was used as source of sugar to obtain alcohol, those results were foreseeable, and confirm the origin of the sugar source. Instead, the results for δ¹⁸O_VSMOW showed a positive slope linear trend for the aging time (silver class 19.52‰, aged class 20.54‰, extra-aged class 21.45‰), which is associated with the maturation process, there are oxidation reactions that add congeneric compounds to the beverage, these can be used as tracers for the authenticity of the aging time. Additionally, the experimental data showed homogeneity in the beverages regardless of the production region, evidencing the tequila industry’s high-quality standards. However, a particular case occurs with the δ¹⁸O_VSMOW data for the silver class samples, in which a clear trend is noted with the altitude of the region of origin; therefore, this information suggests that this analytical parameter could be useful to authenticate the regional origin of beverage.     

Operation of low driving voltage cascaded modulator over non-cascaded modulator for 4 dB extinction ratio at 100 giga bit per second (Gbps)

This paper describes improved results when comparing cascaded traveling wave electro absorption modulator (TWEAM) to non-cascaded TWEAM by simulation. Large signal modeling is used for both types of modulators to achieve 4 and 10 dB extinction ratios (ERs) with flat frequency response for applications in short distance as well as long distance optical fiber communication. To obtain 4 and 10 dB ERs with 110 GHz 3 dB bandwidth, a cascaded TWEAM requires 0.4 V peak to peak (V_P-P) and 1 V_P-P input driving voltages respectively. A non-cascaded TWEAM requires about two times the input driving voltage compared to the cascaded modulator to achieve the same values of ER and 3 dB bandwidth. Both modulators have been simulated with the same bias and also use the same circuit parameters except for the total active segment lengths (1 and 0.5 mm for cascaded and non-cascaded modulator respectively) and microstrip lengths to obtain the same ERs and 3 dB bandwidths.     

Modeling and numerical simulation of the resistance spot welding of zinc coated steel sheets using rounded tip electrode: Analysis of required conditions

This paper investigates the essential conditions to improve the accuracy of a resistance spot welding computational study of advanced zinc coated steel sheets using rounded tip electrode. An experimental analysis is performed to highlight the required considerations for a suitable simulation. A sequential Electrical-Thermal-Metallurgical and Mechanical (ETMM) finite element analysis with appropriate precautions of the contact conditions enables to accurately simulate the nugget development during the welding. A critical smooth evolution of the contact radius is required. A fine meshing with an interfacial mesh size of at least 0.05 × 10⁻³ m combined with a coupling time step of 0.0025 s between the electrical-thermal-metallurgical and the mechanical analysis allows a regular incrementation of the contact radius, without burdening the time computing. Accurate values of the contact resistance depending on the interfacial pressure and temperature are essential for a good simulation of the nugget size. The ETMM calculation is successfully extended to the simulation of the welding of a typical two sheets assembly.     

Colloidal Surface Active Maghemite Nanoparticles for Biologically Safe CrVI Remediation: from Core‐Shell Nanostructures to Pilot Plant Development

The present study is aimed at the exploration of achievable improvements for Cr^VI ex situ and in situ water remediation by using novel naked colloidal maghemite (γ‐Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles (surface active maghemite nanoparticles, SAMNs). The reliability of SAMNs for Cr^VI binding and removal was demonstrated, and SAMN@Cr^VI complex was characterized, as well as the covalent nature of the absorption was unequivocally proved. SAMNs were structurally and magnetically well conserved after Cr^VI binding. Thus, in consideration of their affinity for Cr^VI, SAMNs were exploited in a biological model system, mimicking a real in situ application. The assay evidenced a progressive reduction of revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain, as maghemite nanoparticles concentration increased, till the complete suppression of Cr^VI mutagen effect. Finally, an automatic modular pilot system for continuous magnetic removal and recovery of Cr^VI from water is proposed. SAMNs, thanks to their colloidal, binding, and catalytic properties, represent a promising tool as a reliable nanomaterial for water remediation by Cr^VI.     

Coating properties of a novel water stationary phase in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

The coating properties of a novel water stationary phase used in capillary supercritical fluid chromatography were investigated. The findings confirm that increasing the length or internal diameter of the type 316 stainless‐steel column used provides a linear increase in the volume of stationary phase present. Under normal operating conditions, results indicate that about 4.9 ± 0.5 μL/m of water phase is deposited uniformly inside of a typical 250 μm internal diameter 316 stainless‐steel column, which translates to an area coverage of about 6.3 ± 0.5 nL/mm² regardless of dimension. Efforts to increase the stationary phase volume present showed that etching the stainless‐steel capillary wall using hydrofluoric acid was very effective for this. For instance, after five etching cycles, this volume doubled inside of both the type 304 and the type 316 stainless‐steel columns examined. This in turn doubled analyte retention, while maintaining good peak shape and column efficiency. Overall, 316 stainless‐steel columns were more resistant to etching than 304 stainless‐steel columns. Results indicate that this approach could be useful to employ as a means of controlling the volume of water stationary phase that can be established inside of the stainless‐steel columns used with this supercritical fluid chromatography technique.