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Textile materials for protection against electromagnetic radiation are used now not only for special purposes but in everyday clothing too. In this regard, the thermo-physical properties of such materials are very important. In this study, the hybrid knitted fabrics with electromagnetic shielding properties manufactured on 8E flat-bed machine from 0.12 mm stainless steel wire and 30 × 2 tex cotton yarn have been tested. Fabric samples differ by variant of stainless steel wire incorporation (separately or along with cotton yarn) and their positioning in the structures (loop and/or tuck). Hybrid fabric formed by the alternation of two courses of rib 1 × 1 from cotton yarn and two courses from steel wire has higher porosity and therefore higher relative water vapor permeability and lower thermal conductivity compared with fabric formed from cotton yarn and a steel wire simultaneously. The research results showed that the introduction of stainless steel wire along with cotton yarn into the knitted structure leads to changes in stitch density and therefore in the area of porosity compared with cotton fabric. The thermal conductivity coefficient and evaporative resistance of these fabrics are similar to cotton 1 + 1 rib fabric. Thus, the studied hybrid knitted fabrics with shielding properties against electromagnetic radiation can be recommended for clothing manufacturing. The half-Milano rib fabric knitted from cotton yarn and a steel wire with the greatest electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness has a good level of comfort similar to cotton fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate nutrient intake, coupled with increased oxidative stress, leads to an imbalance responsible for the current major diseases. Many foods have traditionally been used as traditional medicine, including native berries from southern Chile. Both Maqui and Calafate possess high antioxidant activity, which grants them medicinal power and makes them an excellent alternative for improving health. The aim of this study is to create a functional food with therapeutic properties capable of counteracting oxidative stress and thereby contributing to improving people’s health. To achieve this, a muffin with inulin, Maqui, and Calafate has been developed. The results show that the incorporation of inulin alone increases the fiber content and antioxidant capacity of the muffins; however, Maqui and Calafate contribute significantly more. Furthermore, contents of phenolic compounds are elevated, and an increase in the folic acid content is observed in the samples compared to the control. We can conclude that producing products with inulin, Maqui, and Calafate can be used to enhance the nutritional value and increase the antioxidant activity of bakery products, providing nutrients while also delivering unique characteristics in color, aroma, and flavor, making them appealing to consumers.

Resistant starch (RS) is a fraction of starch not digested and absorbed in the small intestine, and it is fermented by the intestinal microbiota in the colon, thereby influencing many health benefits. Legumes such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas are rich in fermentable dietary fiber, and RS can be included in this fiber group. These legumes are not considered a “typical” source of starch and have not been extensively studied as a source of RS. There are still insufficient data on modern non-thermal methods like high-pressure processing (HPP) and combining this method with refrigerated storage. The study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of HPP and HPP combined with refrigerated storage on the RS content of legumes, particularly white beans, green lentils, and chickpeas. Different pressure levels and processing times were used to evaluate changes in RS content and to assess the total fiber content and fiber fraction of the tested legumes. Our study showed that the increase in pressure and pressurization time affected changes in the RS content of the examined legumes. Furthermore, the cooling process of previously pressurized samples resulted in a significant increase in RS content.

We report a thin-film optical amplifier integrated on a fiber facet based on polymer-coated distributed feedback (DFB) microcavities, which are fabricated on a planar substrate and then transferred onto fiber tips by means of a flexible transfer technique. The amplified light directly couples into the fiber and is detected when coupled out at the other end after propagating along the fiber for about 20 cm. A prominently amplification factor of about 4.33 at 578.57 nm is achieved by sending supercontinuum pulses into the hundreds of micrometers’ DFB microcavities along the normal direction, which is also the axis direction of the fiber. The random distortions of grating lines generated during the transfer process result in a larger amplification spectral range and a less strict polarization dependence for injected light. Benefitting from the device size of hundreds of micrometers and the ease of integration, polymer amplifiers based on DFB microcavities demonstrate significant application potentials in optical communication systems and miniaturized optical devices.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a pathology of the small intestine and may predispose individuals to various nutritional deficiencies. Little is known about whether specific subtypes of SIBO, such as the hydrogen-dominant (H+), methane-dominant (M+), or hydrogen/methane–dominant (H+/M+), impact nutritional status and dietary intake in SIBO patients. The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlations between biochemical parameters, dietary nutrient intake, and distinct SIBO subtypes. This observational study included 67 patients who were newly diagnosed with SIBO. Biochemical parameters and diet were studied utilizing laboratory tests and food records, respectively. The H+/M+ group was associated with low serum vitamin D (p < 0.001), low serum ferritin (p = 0.001) and low fiber intake (p = 0.001). The M+ group was correlated with high serum folic acid (p = 0.002) and low intakes of fiber (p = 0.001) and lactose (p = 0.002). The H+ group was associated with low lactose intake (p = 0.027). These results suggest that the subtype of SIBO may have varying effects on dietary intake, leading to a range of biochemical deficiencies. Conversely, specific dietary patterns may predispose one to the development of a SIBO subtype. The assessment of nutritional status and diet, along with the diagnosis of SIBO subtypes, are believed to be key components of SIBO therapy.

The development of hydrogels has a significant impact in fields such as tissue engineering and biomedical devices. The present study tests different cellulose particles extracted from plants to produce hydrogels and identify if these particles and hydrogels have antimicrobial properties. Nine cellulose particles from Ecuadoran biodiversity were obtained using an established chemical extraction protocol, characterized using known techniques, and evaluated for bacterial growth in-vitro. In addition, two particles of nine were selected to perform bacterial growth rates and bacterial adhesion assays. The bacterial growth rates with cellulose F1 and F53 were similar to the positive control (with antibiotic) with both Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and TG1 strains. However, the results showed that the bacterial growth rate with seven of the nine cellulose particles was lower than the negative control (without antibiotics) suggesting antifouling properties. Based on the results using cellulose particles and hydrogels with antifouling properties, we prepared a plant extract to test the bactericide properties against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922) bacteria, evidencing the highest inhibitory effect at 40 and 60 mg/mL against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Lastly, we encapsulated the bactericide plant extract into the anti-fouling hydrogel. The results demonstrated that the combination of antifouling and bactericide properties could be an alternative approach for surface-modified cellulosic materials applications in the future.

(1) Background. Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent among cancer survivors. Inflammation may contribute to impaired cognition, and diet represents a novel strategy to mitigate cognitive decline. The purpose was to (1) assess the impact of an educational cooking class on cancer survivor eating habits and their inflammatory potential and (2) determine the relationship between diet and cognitive function. (2) Methods. This was a non-randomized interventional study of a virtual educational cooking class in post-treatment, adult cancer survivors. Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII™) scores and subjective cognitive function were assessed at baseline and 1 month post-intervention. (3) Results. Of 22 subjects, all were female, White, and primarily had breast cancer (64%). There was a significant decrease in E-DII scores, which became more anti-inflammatory, one month after intervention (−2.3 vs. −2.7, p = 0.005). There were significant increases in cognition, including perceived cognitive impairment (COG-PCI, p < 0.001), comments from others (COG-OTH, p < 0.001), and quality of life (COG-QOL, p < 0.001). A change in calories was a significant predictor of a change in perceived cognitive ability (COG-PCA) after adjustment (β = 0.007, p = 0.04; 95% CI (0.000, 0.014)). (4) Conclusions. Educational cooking classes may be an effective way to impact diet-derived inflammation; additional research is needed to assess the long-term effects of dietary changes on cognition.

Polypropylene, steel, and carbon fibers are used to increase the ductility and toughness of concrete materials. In recent years, studies on the use of natural fibers have increasingly continued. Among natural fibers, hemp fiber has the highest tensile strength value. The aim of this study was to discuss and present the results of the experimental study on the use of cement-based hemp shives and fibers to increase the ductility of mortars. Another aim is to increase the use of hemp in the construction field by using more economical and natural fibers. Various binders and different amounts of fibers and shives were added and their effects on flexural strength were investigated. Water absorption and flexural tests and scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed on the produced samples. Particle and hole size distributions and stereo microscope images of the samples are given. The use of hemp fibers was observed to improve flexural strength, while shives were not significantly improved flexural strength.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the pomace drying methods (freeze-drying and convection-drying) and their percentage (0–10%) on selected physicochemical properties of gluten-free bread. The contents of nutrients (protein, fiber, fat, ash, and carbohydrates), bioactive compounds, antioxidant properties, acidity, baking efficiency, and moisture of the obtained products were determined. Fortifying the bread with raspberry pomace resulted in a change in fiber content from 18.13% d. b. (control sample) up to 19.97% d. b. (10% of freeze-dried pomace), and a change in the fat and ash content in the bread from 5.74% and 2.83% d. b. (control sample) to 7.18% and 3.12% d. b. (10% of freeze-dried pomace). The content of carbohydrates decreased after adding raspberry pomace to the bread, from 65.71% d. b. (control sample) to 63.68% d. b. (5% of freeze-dried pomace). The research carried out also showed that the introduction of 10% freeze-dried raspberry pomace increased the total polyphenol content by 81.75% and the antioxidant properties defined by the ABTS method by 159.54% and by the DPPH method by 96.43% compared to the control bread. The introduction of pomace resulted in a significant reduction in the total baking loss, from 15.1% to 10.62%, and an increase in the total titratable acidity of the crumb, from 2.13 mL NaOH/10 g d. b to 7.78 mL NaOH/10 g d. b. Principal component analysis highlighted a marked effect of the drying method and content of raspberry pomace on the quality values of gluten-free bread. This research demonstrated that raspberry pomace can be a valuable source of fiber and bioactive substances in gluten-free bread.

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing of solvent-based inks or melts allows for the producing of polymeric fiber-based two- and three-dimensional structures with sub-micrometer features, with or without conductive nanoparticles or functional materials. While solvent-based inks possess great material versatility, the stability of the EHD jetting process using such inks remains a major challenge that must be overcome before this technology can be deployed beyond research laboratories. Herein, we study the parameters that affect the stability of the EHD jet printing of polyethylene oxide (PEO) patterns using solvent-based inks. To gain insights into the evolution of the printing process, we simultaneously monitor the drop size, the jet ejection point, and the jet speed, determined by superimposing a periodic electrostatic deflection. We observe printing instabilities to be associated with changes in drop size and composition and in the jet’s ejection point and speed, which are related to the evaporation of the solvent and the resulting drying of the drop surface. Thus, stabilizing the printing process and, particularly, the drop size and its surface composition require minimizing or controlling the solvent evaporation rate from the drop surface by using appropriate solvents and by controlling the printing ambient. For stable printing and improved jet stability, it is essential to use polymers with a high molecular weight and select solvents that slow down the surface drying of the droplets. Additionally, adjusting the needle voltages is crucial to prevent instabilities in the jet ejection mode. Although this study primarily utilized PEO, the general trends observed are applicable to other polymers that exhibit similar interactions between solvent and polymer.

In this study, the mechanical properties and thermal stability of composite polypropylene (PP) drawn fibers with two different organically modified montmorillonites were experimentally investigated and optimized using a response surface methodology. Specifically, the Box-Behnken Design of Experiments method was used in order to investigate the effect of the filler content, the compatibilizer content, and the drawing temperature on the tensile strength and the onset decomposition temperature of the PP composite drawn fibers. The materials were characterized by tensile tests, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffraction. Two types of composites were investigated with the only difference being the type of filler, namely, Cloisite® 10A or Cloisite® 15A. In both cases, statistically significant models were obtained regarding the effect of design variables on tensile strength, while poor significance was observed for the onset decomposition temperature. Nanocomposite fibers with tensile strength up to 540 MPa were obtained. Among the design variables, the drawing temperature exhibited the most notable effect on tensile strength, while the effect of both clays was not significant.

For the first time, a systematic study to investigate the electrospinnability of cyclic olefin polymer (COP) was performed. Different solvents and mixtures were tested together with different electrospinning parameters and post-treatment types to prepare bead-free fibers without defects. These were successfully obtained using a chloroform/chlorobenzene (40/60 wt.%) solvent mixture with a 15 wt.% COP polymer, a 1 mL/h polymer solution flow rate, a 15 cm distance between the needle and collector, and a 12 kV electric voltage. COP fibers were in the micron range and the hot-press post-treatment (5 MPa, 5 min and 120 °C) induced an integrated fibrous structure along with more junctions between fibers, reducing the mean and maximum inter-fiber space. When the temperature of the press post-treatment was increased (from 25 °C to 120 °C), better strength and less elongation at break of COP fibers were achieved. However, when applying a temperature above the COP glass temperature (Tg = 138 °C) the fibers coalesced, showing a mechanical behavior similar to a plastic film and a low elongation at break with a high strength. The addition of a high dielectric constant non-solvent, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), resulted in a considerable reduction in the COP fiber diameter. Based on the cloud point approach, it was found that the use of DMAc and the solvent chloroform or chlorobenzene improved the electrospinnability of COP polymer solution.

Concern about food waste has become a major global concern. The waste generated by the agri-food industry poses an environmental challenge. However, the development of 3D printing technology offers an opportunity to address this problem. By incorporating food waste into inks, it can create personalized food tailored to individual needs. The aim of this study is the valorization of orange by-products (OBP) in 3D printed gels to obtain a final product in the form of a fiber-enriched snack. Gelatin gels were printed with different concentrations of apricot pulp (30, 50, and 70%) and OBP was added. These gels were subjected to a freeze-drying process. The rheology of the gels before and after printing, the printing precision, and the post-treatment of the freeze-dried product, including color, shear force, and the presence of bioactive compounds, were evaluated. The addition of OBP resulted in an increase in the elasticity (997–1242u) of the samples and improved the printability of them. However, an increase in the hardness (173–184u) was observed in the freeze-dried samples. The use of OBP not only improves the printability of the gels but also enables obtaining fiber-enriched snacks, which could contribute to the reduction in food waste and the promotion of healthy and sustainable food.

Magnetometers based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds have promising applications in fields of living systems biology, condensed matter physics, and industry. This paper proposes a portable and flexible all-fiber NV center vector magnetometer by using fibers to substitute all conventional spatial optical elements, realizing laser excitation and fluorescence collection of micro-diamond with multi-mode fibers simultaneously and efficiently. An optical model is established to investigate multi-mode fiber interrogation of micro-diamond to estimate the optical performance of NV center system. A new analysis method is proposed to extract the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field, combining the morphology of the micro-diamond, thus realizing μm-scale vector magnetic field detection at the tip of the fiber probe. Experimental testing shows our fabricated magnetometer has a sensitivity of 0.73 nT/Hz1/2, demonstrating its feasibility and performance in comparison with conventional confocal NV center magnetometers. This research presents a robust and compact magnetic endoscopy and remote-magnetic measurement approach, which will substantially promote the practical application of magnetometers based on NV centers.

The importance of electrospinning to produce biomimicking micro- and nano-fibrous matrices is realized by many who work in the area of fibers. Based on the solubility of the materials to be spun, organic solvents are typically utilized. The toxicity of the utilized organic solvent could be extremely important for various applications, including tissue engineering, biomedical, agricultural, etc. In addition, the high viscosities of such polymer solutions limit the use of high polymer concentrations and lower down productivity along with the limitations of obtaining desired fiber morphology. This emphasizes the need for a method that would allay worries about safety, toxicity, and environmental issues along with the limitations of using concentrated polymer solutions. To mitigate these issues, the use of emulsions as precursors for electrospinning has recently gained significant attention. Presence of dispersed and continuous phase in emulsion provides an easy route to incorporate sensitive bioactive functional moieties within the core-sheath fibers which otherwise could only be hardly achieved using cumbersome coaxial electrospinning process in solution or melt based approaches. This review presents a detailed understanding of emulsion behavior during electrospinning along with the role of various constituents and process parameters during fiber formation. Though many polymers have been studied for emulsion electrospinning, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the most studied polymers for this technique. Therefore, electrospinning of PCL based emulsions is highlighted as unique case-study, to provide a detailed theoretical understanding, discussion of experimental results along with their suitable biomedical applications.

The work aimed to characterize the wood of the species Ochroma pyramidale in the longitudinal and radial direction of the tree. For the study, five six-year old trees were used. Discs were removed at different heights of the stem. The samples were obtained from each disk in different regions between the pith and bark. The preparation and the anatomical analysis of the permanent and temporary slides, chemical analyzes, and basic density measure of the stem wood were carried out according to technical standards. As a result, it was observed that the highest averages for pore diameter and fiber length were found in the region close to the bark at all heights. Regarding to the rays, it was noted that there was an interaction between the longitudinal x radial factors for most of the parameters evaluated, except for the width of the rays. For fiber lumen diameter and vessel length, the same trend line was found, the highest average observed in the region close to the pith. In the chemical analyzes, it was possible to observe that there was no significant difference in the longitudinal direction of the wood except for solubility in cold water. For basic density, there was an increase in the region closer to the pith compared to the region closer to the bark. However, in relation to the longitudinal position of the bole, the highest values were found at the base of the bole. It could be seen that the Ochroma pyramidale species has potential use for products linked to thermal and acoustic insulation, production of particleboards and pulp and paper production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with conventional solid-state lasers, fiber lasers have the advantages of small size, simple cooling system, and good output beam quality, enabling them an extended service lifetime in industrialized environments. Periodically arranged photonic crystals have been the most important gain medium for high-power laser applications, which overcame the problems in fiber lasers such as small mode field, low degree of nonlinearity, and non-adjustable dispersion. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent advances of typical ion-doped photonic crystal fiber lasers doped, discuss the challenges, and provide an outlook on the future developments in ion-doped photonic crystal fiber lasers.

For the purpose of studying the influence of fiber on the negative Poisson’s ratio effect of foam concrete, a concave hexagonal unit cell structure of polypropylene fiber foam concrete was proposed. The effects of different fiber volume contents on the structural mechanical parameters, Poisson’s ratio, and energy absorption capacity of the unit cells were studied by static compression of concave hexagonal unit cells and cube specimens. The results show that the compressive strength of foam concrete is reduced by adding polypropylene fiber, and the peak stress of concave hexagonal unit cells decreases less rapidly than that of cube specimens. The proper amount of polypropylene fiber can enhance the deformation ability of the unit cells in foam concrete, and the Poisson’s ratio of the unit cells in foam concrete with 1.5% fiber content is the lowest. In the process of failure of concave hexagonal unit cells, the failure phenomenon is mainly concentrated on the concave surfaces on both sides, and the cracks are distributed in the form of “upper left and lower right” or “lower left and upper right”. When the content of polypropylene fiber is 0.5%, the total energy absorbed by the concave hexagonal cells in the compression deformation process increases by 12.98%.

In this paper, we explore potential genetic factors in control of flax phenotypes associated with fiber by mining a collection of 306 flax accessions from the Federal Research Centre of the Bast Fiber Crops, Torzhok, Russia. In total, 11 traits were assessed in the course of 3 successive years. A genome-wide association study was performed for each phenotype independently using six different single-locus models implemented in the GAPIT3 R package. Moreover, we applied a multivariate linear mixed model implemented in the GEMMA package to account for trait correlations and potential pleiotropic effects of polymorphisms. The analyses revealed a number of genomic variants associated with different fiber traits, implying the complex and polygenic control. All stable variants demonstrate a statistically significant allelic effect across all 3 years of the experiment. We tested the validity of the predicted variants using gene expression data available for the flax fiber studies. The results shed new light on the processes and pathways associated with the complex fiber traits, while the pinpointed candidate genes may be further used for marker-assisted selection.

This study aims to develop dyeable modified polypropylene (PP) granules with disperse dye. The optimal dyeable modified PP granule process used polyester as a mixed copolymer. The purpose was to overcome the excessive difference between the polyester material melting point and PP melting point. The development of a low-melting modified co-polybutylene adipate terephthalate (Co-PBAT) was the key point. After the low-melting modified Co-PBAT was presented, PP and a PP grafting maleic anhydride compatibilizer were made into a composite by dual-screw mixing process. The disperse dye dyeability was reached by the molecular behavior of the Co-PBAT chain segment. The prepared material was applied to explore the thermal properties of modified ester pellets and the functional group was verified by Fourier infrared spectroscopy. In this study, the Taguchi method and principal component analysis were used to optimize the process parameter design of two quality characteristics; namely, the color strength and the polymer melt flow index (MFI). According to the results, the multi-quality optimization of the ester pellets consisted of a modified Co-PBAT melting point of 170°C, the modified Co-PBAT content of 9 wt%, the compatibilizer content of 3 wt%, and the mixing temperature of 205°C. The MFI of the regular PP polymer was 28.1 g/10 min, the color strength was 100 K/S. For the optimal process, the MFI of the PP/Co-PBAT dyeable granules was 37.88 g/10 min, and the color strength was 121.31 K/S. It could be observed that the developed polymer had good circulating workability and color strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In antiquity, flax was used as a dressing for healing wounds. Currently, work is underway on the genetic modification of flax fibers to improve their properties. Genetic modifications have resulted in an increased content of antioxidants and more favorable mechanical properties. The works published so far have presented independent tests of fibers and dressings after appropriate technological treatments in cell cultures. This study aimed to compare the properties of the fibers and the dressing produced in cell cultures—hamster fibroblasts—V79. The research material was traditional NIKE fibers; genetically modified M, B, and MB fibers; and linen dressings obtained from these fibers. The extract from 48-h incubation of 40 mg of fiber in the culture medium, which was desolved into 10, 20, and 30 mg, was administered to the cell culture. On the other hand, a linen dressing was placed on cells with an area of 0.5 cm2, 1 cm2, 1.5 cm2, and 2 cm2. Cells with fiber or dressing were incubated for 48 h, and then, biological tests were performed, including cell viability (in propidium iodide staining), cell proliferation (in the SRB assay), evaluation of the intracellular free radical level (in the DCF-DA assay), genotoxicity (in the comet assay), assessment of the apoptotic and necrotic cells (in staining anexin-V and iodide propidium), the course of the cell cycle, and the scratch test. The correlation between apoptosis and genotoxicity and the levels of free radicals and genotoxicity were determined for the tested linen fibers and fabrics. The tests presented that the fibers are characterized by the ability to eliminate damaged cells in the elimination phase. However, the obtained fabrics gain different properties during the technological processing of the fibers into linen dressings. Linen fabrics have better regenerative properties for cells than fibers. The linseed dressing made of MB fiber has the most favorable regenerative properties.

Nanoparticles (NPs) enhance soybean growth; however, their precise mechanism is not clearly understood. To develop a more effective method using NPs for the enhancement of soybean growth, fiber crosslinked with zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs was prepared. The solution of ZnO NPs with 200 nm promoted soybean growth at the concentration of 10 ppm, while fibers crosslinked with ZnO NPs promoted growth at a 1 ppm concentration. Soybeans grown on fiber cross-linked with ZnO NPs had higher Zn content in their roots than those grown in ZnO NPs solution. To study the positive mechanism of fiber crosslinked with ZnO NPs on soybean growth, a proteomic technique was used. Proteins categorized in photosynthesis and secondary metabolism accumulated more in soybeans grown on fiber crosslinked with ZnO NPs than in those grown in ZnO NPs solution. Furthermore, significantly accumulated proteins, which were NADPH oxidoreductase and tubulins, were confirmed using immunoblot analysis. The abundance of NADPH oxidoreductase increased in soybean by ZnO NPs application. These results suggest that fiber crosslinked with ZnO NPs enhances soybean growth through the increase of photosynthesis and secondary metabolism. Additionally, the accumulation of NADPH oxidoreductase might relate to the effect of auxin with fiber crosslinked with ZnO NPs on soybean growth.

With the continuous miniaturization of conventional integrated circuits, obstacles such as excessive cost, increased resistance to electronic motion, and increased energy consumption are gradually slowing down the development of electrical computing and constraining the application of deep learning. Optical neuromorphic computing presents various opportunities and challenges compared with the realm of electronics. Algorithms running on optical hardware have the potential to meet the growing computational demands of deep learning and artificial intelligence. Here, we review the development of optical neural networks and compare various research proposals. We focus on fiber-based neural networks. Finally, we describe some new research directions and challenges.

In this review paper, the use of different parts of tamarind tree in industry for eco-friendly products and processes with sustainability has been explored. This review article presents the extraction methods adapted to modify the raw materials obtained from tamarind tree into useable form by industry. The review of published data reveals that, fruit shell can be efficiently used as toxic adsorbent, pulp is used in food industry as preservative, Tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) a biopolymer from tamarind seed is effectively used as additive in food industry, drug delivery applications and electrochemical industries. The tamarind seed oil is used as biofuel, tamarind leaf extract is employed in textile industry for developing antibacterial fabrics and fruit fiber is successfully used as reinforcement in composite material to replace synthetic fibers and finds application in automobile and construction industries. This study also exposes the fact that there is scope for further use of tamarind and its parts in several areas such targeted drug delivery applications, removal of toxins from industrial effluents, electrochemical industries, agricultural field and preparation of preserved foods which require further research.

Gut microbiota encompasses a wide variety of commensal microorganisms consisting of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbial population coexists in symbiosis with the host, and related metabolites have profound effects on human health. In this respect, gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the regulation of metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions. Bacterial metabolites include the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4), which are the most abundant SCFAs in the human body and the most abundant anions in the colon. SCFAs are made from fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch in the gut. They modulate several metabolic pathways and are involved in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Thus, diet might influence gut microbiota composition and activity, SCFAs production, and metabolic effects. In this narrative review, we discuss the relevant research focusing on the relationship between gut microbiota, SCFAs, and glucose metabolism.

Amyloids are self-assembled protein aggregates that take cross-β fibrillar morphology. Although some amyloid proteins are best known for their association with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, many other amyloids are found across diverse organisms, from bacteria to humans, and they play vital functional roles. The rigidity, chemical stability, high aspect ratio, and sequence programmability of amyloid fibrils have made them attractive candidates for functional materials with applications in environmental sciences, material engineering, and translational medicines. This review focuses on recent advances in fabricating various types of macroscopic functional amyloid materials. We discuss different design strategies for the fabrication of amyloid hydrogels, high-strength materials, composite materials, responsive materials, extracellular matrix mimics, conductive materials, and catalytic materials.

Micro-/nanofibers have shown high promise as drug delivery vehicles due to their high porosity and surface-area-to-volume ratio. The current study utilizes air-spraying, a novel fiber fabrication technique, to create silk micro-/nanofibers without the need for a high voltage power source. Air-spraying was used to create silk fibrous mats embedded with several model drugs with high efficiency. In order to compare the effect of biomaterial geometry on the release of the model drugs, silk films were also created and characterized. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and a drug release study were performed on both fiber and film samples to study how the model drugs interact with the protein structure. FTIR analysis showed that while drugs could interact with the protein structure of porous silk fibers, they could not interact with the flat geometry of silk films. As a result, fibers could protect select model drugs from thermal degradation and slow their release from the fiber network with more control than the silk films. A trend was also revealed where hydrophobic drugs were better protected and had a slower release than hydrophilic drugs. The results suggest that the physical and chemical properties of drugs and protein-based biomaterials are important for creating drug delivery vehicles with tailored release profiles and that fibers provide better tunability than films do.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an optimized approach for bone regeneration to overcome the disadvantages of lacking donors. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, simulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and excellent mechanical properties are essential characteristics of BTE scaffold, sometimes including drug loading capacity. Electrospinning is a simple technique to prepare fibrous scaffolds because of its efficiency, adaptability, and flexible preparation of electrospinning solution. Recent studies about electrospinning in BTE are summarized in this review. First, we summarized various types of polymers used in electrospinning and methods of electrospinning in recent work. Then, we divided them into three parts according to their main role in BTE, (1) ECM simulation, (2) mechanical support, and (3) drug delivery system.

The consumption of prebiotic fibers to modulate the human gut microbiome is a promising strategy to positively impact health. Nevertheless, given the compositional complexity of the microbiome and its inter-individual variances, generalized recommendations on the source or amount of fiber supplements remain vague. This problem is further compounded by availability of tractable in vitro and in vivo models to validate certain fibers. We employed a gnotobiotic mouse model containing a 14-member synthetic human gut microbiome (SM) in vivo, characterized a priori for their ability to metabolize a collection of fibers in vitro. This SM contains 14 different strains belonging to five distinct phyla. Since soluble purified fibers have been a common subject of studies, we specifically investigated the effects of dietary concentrated raw fibers (CRFs)—containing fibers from pea, oat, psyllium, wheat and apple—on the compositional and functional alterations in the SM. We demonstrate that, compared to a fiber-free diet, CRF supplementation increased the abundance of fiber-degraders, namely Eubacterium rectale, Roseburia intestinalis and Bacteroides ovatus and decreased the abundance of the mucin-degrader Akkermansia muciniphila. These results were corroborated by a general increase of bacterial fiber-degrading α-glucosidase enzyme activity. Overall, our results highlight the ability of CRFs to enhance the microbial fiber-degrading capacity.

It is known that aerogel impregnated fibrous blankets offer high acoustic absorption and thermal insulation performance. These materials are becoming very popular in various industrial and building applications. Although the reasons for the high thermal insulation performance of these materials are well understood, it is still largely unclear what controls their acoustic performance. Additionally, only a small number of publications to date report on the acoustical properties of fibrous blankets impregnated with powder aerogels. There is a lack of studies that attempt to explain the measured absorption properties with a valid mathematical model. This paper contributes to this knowledge gap through a simulation that predicts the measured complex acoustic reflection coefficient of aerogel blankets with different filling ratios. It is shown that the acoustic performance of a fibrous blanket impregnated with aerogel is generally controlled by the effective pore size and porosity of the composite structure. It is shown that there is a need for refinement of a classical Biot-type model to take into account the sorption and pressure diffusion effects, which become important with the increased filling ratio.

The study aimed at assessing effects of partial replacement (0–40%) of wheat flour with roasted flaxseed flour (RFSF) on the quality attributes of biscuits. Nutritional, antioxidative, volatile and sensory properties, as well as texture analysis and the contents of macroelements and microelement were studied. Increasing RFSF content in biscuits resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in protein (from 8.35% to 10.77%), fat (from 15.19% to 28.34%) and ash (from 1.23% to 2.60%) while the hardness and spread factor of the biscuits decreased with the increased level of roasted flaxseed flour. Moreover, the addition of 40% RFSF registered a positive influence on the fibre content of the final baked biscuits, increasing its value about 6.7-fold than in the control sample. Total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and biscuits’ aroma volatile profile increased their amounts with RFSF addition. The nutritional, textural and sensorial results of the present study demonstrated that 25% RFSF could be added in the biscuits manufacturing without affecting the biscuits aftertaste, offering promising healthy and nutritious alternative to consumers.

Wearable electronics have been receiving increasing attention for the past few decades. Particularly, fiber-based electronics are considered to be ideal for many applications for their flexibility, lightweight, breathability, and comfortability. Furthermore, fibers and fiber-based textiles can be 3D-molded with ease and potentially integrated with everyday clothes or accessories. These properties are especially desired in the fields of bio-related sensors and energy-storage systems. Wearable sensors utilize a tight interface with human skin and clothes for continuous environmental scanning and non-invasive health monitoring. At the same time, their flexible and lightweight properties allow more convenient and user-friendly experiences to the wearers. Similarly, for the wearable devices to be more accessible, it is crucial to incorporate energy harvesting and storage systems into the device themselves, removing the need to attach an external power source. This review summarizes the recent applications of fibers and fiber-based textiles in mechanical, photonic, and biomedical sensors. Pressure and strain sensors and their implementation as electronic skins will be explored, along with other various fiber sensors capable of imaging objects or monitoring safety and health markers. In addition, we attempt to elucidate recent studies in energy-storing fibers and their implication in self-powered and fully wireless wearable devices.

The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method is a well-known deposition technique for the fabrication of ordered monolayer and multilayer thin films of nanomaterials onto different substrates that plays a critical role in the development of functional devices for various applications. This paper describes detailed studies about the best coating configuration for nanoparticles of a porous metal-organic framework (MOF) onto both insulating or conductive threads and nylon fiber. We design and fabricate customized polymethylmethacrylate sheets (PMMA) holders to deposit MOF layers onto the threads or fiber using the LB technique. Two different orientations, namely, horizontal and vertical, are used to deposit MIL-96(Al) monolayer films onto five different types of threads and nylon fiber. These studies show that LB film formation strongly depends on deposition orientation and the type of threads or fiber. Among all the samples tested, cotton thread and nylon fiber with vertical deposition show more homogenous monolayer coverage. In the case of conductive threads, the MOF particles tend to aggregate between the conductive thread’s fibers instead of forming a continuous monolayer coating. Our results show a significant contribution in terms of MOF monolayer deposition onto single fiber and threads that will contribute to the fabrication of single fiber or thread-based devices in the future.

The differential dyeing (DD) method has been a subjective method for visually determining immature cotton fibers. We attempted to quantitate DD results and offer an efficient means of elucidating cotton maturity, without visual discretion. Image analysis of cotton color obtained with a scanner was performed and compared to spectrophotometrically measured color. Low, Medium and High micronaire (Mic) cotton standards were dyed, and we determined that blending the cotton yielded more precise color measurement; with the mean red, green and blue (RGB) values for a low Mic sample being: 101.6 ± 23.9, 83.1 ± 22.0 and 98.3 ± 23.1, respectively; while blending yielded RGB values: 121.6 ± 9.0, 98.8 ± 8.6 and 116.0 ± 8.9, respectively. Comparing RGB values to Mic, it was found that R and B color parameters do not show a trend, but G values decrease with increasing Mic indicating a decrease in G dye uptake with an increase in maturity. The conventional L*a*b* color space values were also obtained for the dyed cottons and compared to RGB and Mic results. The %CV for a* values are higher compared to L* and b* measurements: ∼31.9%, 18.9% and 8.6% for low, medium and high Mic samples, respectively. L* and b* decrease while a* increases with Mic, indicating an increase in R dye with an increase in maturity. The DD Bath method was found to be reliable, with R showing the greatest variances. G and a* values obtained were found to be the best correlation of differences in Mic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamide fiber has been considered as a suitable support for enzyme immobilization because of its low cost, chemical and mechanical properties and ready availability in a number of different forms. In particular, polyamide fabric has highly specific surface and good elasticity. The present study aims to develop an immobilization support from polyamide fabric and to establish the optimum immobilization conditions for laccase. For this, the enzymatic hydrolysis process was introduced to the hydrolysis of polyamide, creating amino groups that immobilize enzyme molecules. When polyamide fabric was hydrolyzed by bromelain during enzymatic hydrolysis, the highest immobilization yield (68 ± 0.7%) and relative activity (95 ± 0.52%) of immobilized laccase were obtained. For successful enzyme immobilization, the optimal glutaraldehyde crosslinking conditions were pH of 9.0 with 10% (v/v) of glutaraldehyde concentration for 240 min at 45℃. The most favorable immobilization conditions were as follows: pH of 6.0 with 35% (owf) of laccase concentration for 600 min at 4℃. Under the optimum treatment conditions, the pH and thermal stability of immobilized laccase were improved. After 20 days of storage, the immobilized laccase on enzymatic hydrolyzed polyamide fabric retained approximately 30% of its initial activity. Furthermore, the immobilized laccase indicated potential reuse over 10 use cycles. The structural changes of polyamide fabric according to treatment processes were demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The changes of surface morphology were measured by scanning electron microscopy according to the multi treatment steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for breathable waterproof products has increased with the need for functional sportswear. However, these membranes have a major weakness in the loss of performance over time. The self-healing polymer has attracted much attention as a solution to this problem. In this research, a bio-based self-healing polymer from furan-based polymer was synthesized to produce a sustainable waterproof membrane.The furan-based self-healing polymer was synthesized from poly(butylene furanoate) and bismaleimide via a Diels–Alder reaction and blended with bio polyurethane. Poly(ethylene glycol) was also blended to obtain nonporous breathable waterproofness. These synthesis processes were identified by spectroscopy analysis. To investigate the self-healing ability of the polymer, a film sample was sliced and reattached. These self-healing processes were observed and verified by morphological and mechanical analysis. These self-healing polymer films were successfully healed in 24 h. The polymer was coated on a polylactide fabric using a doctor blade. The self-healing ability of the membrane was investigated by breathable water repellency analysis and it was maintained after the coating process. The waterproofness and vapor permeability were also measured, and these results identified that the fabricated membrane has a possibility as a breathable waterproof fabric. Environmental performance was confirmed by the enzymatic degradation test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]