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For quality control improvement of medicine and food homology (MFH) health food, the concept of functional quality control and rapid screening strategy of functional compounds were proposed based on the dual identity characteristics. Taking Wuweisanqi Capsule as the research object, firstly, a modified method “syndrome correlation-network analysis” based on network pharmacology was used for analysis. Functions related targets were collected from common medical databases, while the clustering algorithm was used to extract the information of clinical records related to daily health care from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) database to obtain the targets. The bioactive compounds and related targets were retrieved from the TCM Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform around the five materials included in formula. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the intersection targets. According to the constructed formula material-compound-target-pathway network, the potential functional compounds were preliminarily identified. Secondly, key targets and compounds were analyzed by molecular docking to further screen functional compounds. Finally, combined with references, the screening and establishing determination methods of functional compounds containing total saponins, astragaloside IV, puerarin and schisandrin were finished. The rapid screening strategy adequately utilizes the advantage of TCM background for MFH health food and the effective extracting ability of massive data by the algorithm. It links three aspects of health food functions, formula materials and functional compounds, providing an efficient solution for the realization of function-formula-component integrated functional quality control, which has great application potential in health food industry.

The burden of food contamination and food wastage has significantly contributed to the increased prevalence of foodborne disease and food insecurity all over the world. Due to this, there is an urgent need to develop a smarter food traceability system. Recent advancements in biosensors that are easy-to-use, rapid yet selective, sensitive, and cost-effective have shown great promise to meet the critical demand for onsite and immediate diagnosis and treatment of food safety and quality control (i.e. point-of-care technology). This review article focuses on the recent development of different biosensors for food safety and quality monitoring. In general, the application of biosensors in agriculture (i.e. pre-harvest stage) for early detection and routine control of plant infections or stress is discussed. Afterward, a more detailed advancement of biosensors in the past five years within the food supply chain (i.e. post-harvest stage) to detect different types of food contaminants and smart food packaging is highlighted. A section that discusses perspectives for the development of biosensors in the future is also mentioned.

AbstractThe concrete cover is an important factor that influences the corrosion of rebar in concrete. When the specified cover depth is not achieved due to improper placement of formwork or sagging of rebars at the construction stage of RC structures, it results in a partial cover thickness. This partial cover thickness would create an electrochemical imbalance enhancing the macrocell current. This study investigated the influence of partial cover thickness, water-cement (W/C) ratio, and chloride ions on the corrosion of rebar in mortar. A special divided bar was used to make cylindrical specimens with a full cover thickness of 20 mm and partial cover thickness (20 mm and 7.5 mm) with W/C ratios of 0.30 and 0.70. Electrochemical methods such as macrocell, microcell, electric resistivity, and polarization curves were used for measurement. The corrosion current density for a partial cover thickness of 7.5 mm with a W/C of 0.30 was 3.46 μA/cm2, and for 20 mm, it was 1.85 μA/cm2. This study concludes that for a low W/C of 0.30; decreasing the cover thickness partially by 62.5% (7.5 mm) will increase the magnitude of total corrosion current density by 47%. However, for a W/C of 0.70, a partial cover thickness had no influence on the corrosion rate.

ABSTRACTTherapeutic mAbs show a specific “charge fingerprint” that may affect safety and efficacy, and, as such, it is often identified as a critical quality attribute (CQA). Capillary iso-electric focusing (cIEF), commonly used for the evaluation of such CQA, provides an analytical tool to investigate mAb purity and identity across the product lifecycle. Here, we discuss the results of an analysis of a panel of antibody products by conventional and whole-column imaging cIEF systems performed as part of European Pharmacopoeia activities related to development of “horizontal standards” for the quality control of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The study aimed at designing and verifying an independent and transversal cIEF procedure for the reliable analysis of mAbs charge variants. Despite the use of comparable experimental conditions, discrepancies in the charge profile and measured isoelectric points emerged between the two cIEF systems. These data suggest that the results are method-dependent rather than absolute, an aspect known to experts in the field and pharmaceutical industry, but not suitably documented in the literature. Critical implications from analytical and regulatory perspectives, are herein thoughtfully discussed, with a special focus on the context of market surveillance and identification of falsified medicines.

Background: The global promotion of herbal products is not at par due to a lack of quality control studies. Marham-i-Raal, a pharmacopoeial ointment, treats various types of ulcers and wounds. The present study evaluates the quality control, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of Marham-i-Raal. Methods: The quality control parameters, including loss of weight on drying, pH, total ash value, acid-insoluble ash value, heavy metal analysis, microbial load, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography of Marham-i-Raal, were carried out. Moreover, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Marham-i-Raal were also investigated. Results: The quality control findings of Marham-i-Raal, including weight loss on drying, pH, total ash value, acid-insoluble ash value, heavy metal analysis, and microbial load, were found within the normal limits. The antimicrobial study of Marham-i-Raal has shown promising effects against gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans. The antioxidant effects of the test drug were also found to be significant at higher concentrations against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid methods. Conclusion: The standards developed for the quality control of Marham-i-Raal may be referred to in the future for further studies. This important Unani ointment may be clinically used to treat non-healing ulcers and wounds.

ABSTRACTThe evolution of manufacturing systems toward Industry 4.0 and 5.0 paradigms has pushed the diffusion of Machine Learning (ML) in this field. As the number of articles using ML to support manufacturing functions is expanding tremendously, the main objective of this review article is to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of these applications. 114 journal articles have been collected, analysed, and classified in terms of supervision approaches, function, ML algorithm, data inputs and outputs, and application domain. The findings show the fragmentation of the field and that most of the ML-based systems address limited objectives. Some inputs and outputs of the analysed support tools are shared across the reviewed contributions, and their possible combinations have been outlined. The advantages, limitations, and research opportunities of ML support in manufacturing are discussed. The paper outlines that the excessive specialization of the reviewed applications could be overcome by increasing the diffusion of transfer learning in the manufacturing domain.

The complex relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy illustrates how two cellular housekeeping processes are intimately linked, illuminating fundamental principles of cellular homeostasis and shedding light on disparate pathological conditions including several neurodegenerative disorders. Here we review the basic tenets of mitochondrial dynamics i.e., the concerted balance between fusion and fission of the organelle, and its interplay with macroautophagy and selective mitochondrial autophagy, also dubbed mitophagy, in the maintenance of mitochondrial quality control and ultimately in cell viability. We illustrate how conditions of altered mitochondrial dynamics reverberate on autophagy and vice versa. Finally, we illustrate how altered interplay between these two key cellular processes participates in the pathogenesis of human disorders affecting multiple organs and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ripening characteristics after capping of honey are favourable for improving its quality. However, research on the variation and formation of aroma characteristics of honey in this process is lacking. Therefore, the present study was carried out with different stages of Rhus chinensis honeys (RCHs) after capping and identified 192 volatiles with varying levels of concentration. "Fruity" was the main aroma characteristic of RCHs at different stages after capping, mainly contributed by (E)-β-damascenone. Methyl salicylate might be a potential indicator for differentiating RCHs at different stages after capping. The metabolic pathway analyses revealed that the aroma compounds in RCHs undergo transformation at different stages after capping, which subsequently affects its aroma characteristics formation. This work is the first to study the dynamic changes in honey aroma characteristics after capping from multiple perspectives, and the results are of great significance for understanding the aroma characteristics after capping and quality control of honey., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All the authors declare no competing interests relevant to this study., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In this work, the 4D data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative strategy was used for differential proteomic analysis of four beef tripe samples from different sources to explore the associations between differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and meat quality traits. A total of 68 shared DEPs were identified in all comparison groups, which were mainly involved in phosphorylation signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, and glucuronic acid pathway. In the correlation analysis between DEPs and quality traits of beef tripe, it was found that 21 proteins were significantly associated with the quality traits in beef tripe, which could be considered as the potential biomarkers of beef tripe quality. This study has successfully uncovered the protein composition of beef tripe for the very first time, which helps to understand the key proteins and biological processes associated with the quality traits of beef tripe from different sources and improve the quality control of beef tripe., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest for this part of research. We declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Carbon dioxide (CO 2) is the most common gas used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to protect packaged foods from spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and thus extend the shelf life of food products. Non-destructive measurement of CO 2 concentration of the packaging headspace is of great interest as it could be used at various stages of the value chain, from outgoing goods inspection to storage tests and possible monitoring of the modified atmosphere at retail. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a measuring device operating non-destructively on closed MAP trays. Absorption measurement in the mid-infrared range at four different wavelengths proved to be a suitable principle for determining the CO 2 gas concentration in a closed packaging system: 4.26 μm (2347 cm−1) and 4.27 μm (2342 cm−1) in the range of the antisymmetric stretching vibration, as well as 4.45 μm (2247 cm−1) at the edge of the antisymmetric stretching vibration, and 3.95 μm (2532 cm−1) as a reference measurement outside the absorption band with a thermal infrared source. Measurement principle and setup - the measurement in the absorbing and non-absorbing range and the guiding of the thermal infrared (IR) emitter at a 45° angle through the corner of the tray - allows a measurement largely independent of tray shape, height, and packaged product. The measurement can also be used for pigmented and printed trays - except for carbon black pigments. Optical impairments of the packaging and labeled areas of the lidding film appeared to have the greatest influence on the measurement accuracy. The applicability of the measurement system was evaluated and successfully demonstrated using commercially available food packaging from a local supermarket by comparing the CO 2 gas concentrations yielded with those obtained using a destructive measurement device. • Successful construction of a non-destructive device for the measurement of the CO 2 gas concentration in polymer-based food packaging. • The guidance of the measurement path at a 45° angle enables a precise measurement (no filling-good interruption). • All packaging materials and pigmented packaging can be tested by the developed device – except carbon black pigment. • The usability of the device for different tray shapes and sizes was successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of advanced technologies in agricultural industry procedures has boosted operational efficiency, enabling more effective data collection and analysis. In this study, we developed an "optical tongue" using fiber-optic Mach–Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) built from micro tapered long-period fiber gratings (MT-LPFGs). This tool was employed to collect data related to milk quality, with results indicating a high potential to improve the quality control of dairy products. These advances demonstrate the potential of optical fiber sensor technologies in the agricultural industry and quality control. • Development of an 'optical tongue' using Fiber-Based Mach–Zehnder Interferometry for enhanced milk quality assessment. • Spectral intensity analysis reveals variations across the spectrum, aiding in comprehensive milk quality evaluation. • Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduces dimensions to 2, capturing 95% of data variance (X1: 78%, X2: 17%). • Machine learning models (XGB, Random Forest, Decision Tree) demonstrate 95% accuracy, efficiently classifying milk samples. • Rapid execution time observed with Decision Tree (0.0055 s) compared to Random Forest (0.8688 s) and XGB (0.1903 s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry-salted pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) plays an important cultural role in the Amazon region - South America. In this study, we explored the changes in the chemical composition of pirarucu meat following the drying-salting process via 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Combining multivariate and univariate statistical analyses yielded a robust differentiation of metabolites involved in the process. VIP score (>1), p-value (<0.05), and AUC (>0.7) were considered to selecting compounds that had significant fluctuations in their contents along the process. Our results pointed out acetate, lactate, succinate, and creatinine as metabolites undergoing significant changes during the drying-salting process. Creatinine was not detected in fresh samples. The investigation of multiple components delves deeper into the molecular nuances of the salting-drying process's impact on fish meat, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the possible chemical transformations and how the matrix's quality control and nutritional aspects should be addressed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ginseng is a most popular health-promoting food with ginsenosides as its main bioactive ingredients. Illegal sulfur-fumigation causes ginsenosides convert to toxic sulfur-containing derivatives, and reduced the efficacy/safety of ginseng. 24-sulfo-25-ene ginsenoside Rg1 (25-ene SRg1), one of the sulfur-containing derivatives, is a potential quality control marker of fumigated ginseng, but with low accessibility owing to its unknown generation mechanism. In this study, metals/bisulfite system involved generation mechanism was investigated and verified. The generation of 25-ene SRg1 in sulfur-fumigated ginseng is that SO 2 , formed during sulfur-fumigation, reacted with water and ionized into HSO 3 - . On the one hand, under the metals/bisulfite system, HSO 3 - reacted with 24,25-epoxide Rg1 and further dehydrated to 25-ene SRg1. This study provided a technical support for the promotion of 25-ene SRg1 as the characteristic quality control marker of sulfur-fumigated ginseng.5 - and free radicals which converted ginsenoside Rg1 to 24,25-epoxide Rg1; on the other hand, as a nucleophilic group, HSO 3 - reacted with 24,25-epoxide Rg1 and further dehydrated to 25-ene SRg1. This study provided a technical support for the promotion of 25-ene SRg1 as the characteristic quality control marker of sulfur-fumigated ginseng., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Chinese bayberry is susceptible to decay caused by Penicillium citrinum infection, which will cause food safety problems. Negative air ion (NAI) is a novel type of non-thermal microbicidal technology. This study presented NAI treatment's inhibitory effect and antimicrobial mechanism on P. citrinum isolated from Chinese bayberry fruit. The results indicated that NAI treatment had the optimal inhibitory effect on P. citrinum. P. citrinum cell membrane appeared to have visible wrinkles and damage after NAI treatment, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), relative conductivity, soluble protein, soluble carbohydrate, nucleic acid leakage, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture medium increased obviously, which indicated that the membrane permeability of P. citrinum increased. With the laser confocal assay, NAI increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and caused oxidative damage to membrane lipids. The membrane lipidomics of P. citrinum hyphae was determined by LC-MS. The results revealed that NAI treatment can hydrolyze the glycerophospholipid into phosphatidic acid (PA) and lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI). Besides, the results of energy metabolism illustrated that NAI treatment reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and energy charge of P. citrinum hyphae. Overall, the microbicidal effect of NAI consisted of two pathways: 1) NAI induced the accumulation of ROS and damaged the membrane structures; 2) NAI reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and caused energy metabolism disorders. In addition, the storage experiment proved that NAI could maintain the quality of Chinese bayberry by inhibiting microbial growth and delaying fruit decay. Hence, NAI hold promises as a potential low-temperature sterilization method for fruit and vegetable storage. • Negative air ions (NAI) had obvious microbicidal effect on Penicillium citrinum. • NAI destroyed the cell membrane to cause lipid peroxidation by accumulating ROS. • The balance of mitochondrial membrane potential was influenced by NAI. • NAI could maintain the quality of Chinese bayberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The photo probe Tb- TIR was used for determination of TIR. • A new method based on the enhancement of the luminescence intensity of Tb- TIR with different concentrations of TIR. • Tb- TIR photo probe is used to determine TIR in its pharmaceutical formulations. This work presents a novel and highly sensitive spectrofluorometric method for the determination of tirofiban (TIR) concentration in pharmaceutical formulations. The study comprehensively evaluated the influence of various parameters, such as pH, solvent system, excipient compatibility, and terbium (Tb):TIR molar ratio, on the luminescence intensity of the Tb-TIR complex. These factors were optimized to achieve a broad dynamic range (5 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−5 mol/L) for TIR detection using an excitation wavelength of 280 nm. A linear correlation was observed between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of added TIR. These findings demonstrate the potential of Tb ions as a selective photoprobe for TIR in (DMSO) medium. The method offers high sensitivity with a detection limit of 8.4 × 10−10 mol/L, making it a promising tool for the quality control of tirofiban in pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dimensional variations lead to drastic deviations in the optical performance. • In-process inspection technologies are essential for zero-defects manufacturing. • Confocal microscopy provides fast, non-destructive 3D measurements for research. • X, Y axes uncertainty has higher impact on optical functionality of the diffuser. • Simulations support analytical calculations of diffraction angles and irradiance. The production of high-value components containing functional micro- and submicron-scale features requires the implementation of high-quality in-process inspection technologies to guarantee zero-defect manufacturing, boosting the transition to digital manufacturing. In the present study, the impact of the measurement uncertainty assigned to surface micro- and submicron-structures on the optical performance of a one-dimensional diffraction grating was determined. Thus, 3D confocal microscopy was selected as an inspection technology, introducing measuring data and uncertainty values on an optical simulation model to evaluate the influence of those magnitudes on the irradiance profile of a light beam at a target plane after passing through the diffraction grating. To achieve this goal, the calibrated areal standards have been used in addition to good practice guides for instrument calibration combined with optical modeling to simulate the functional behavior of the optical device. Results proved that changes of hundreds of nanometers in the lateral dimensions of the grating profile lead to drastic deviations in the irradiance profile and, thus, deviation in the optical performance. Hence a change in the period and the structure width of the step grating to the limits of the calculated uncertainty (Nominal Period ± u x,y) supposes a change of down to a 50 % of decrease in the maximum peak of the irradiance profile detected. Thanks to these results, it is possible to define a range in the grating device's performance depending on the dimensional surface characterization and its uncertainty. Moreover, an in-situ measurement approach has been designed for further product quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript describes the development of a novel liquid phase microextraction (LPME) method for the extraction and determination of Zn (II), Fe (II), Pb (II), and Cd (II) in various infant/baby food and supplements products. The method is based on vortex-assisted extraction combined with a switchable-hydrophilicity solvent (SHS) sample preparation. The SHS, which undergoes reversible phase changes triggered by pH change, enables selective extraction and easy phase separation. A flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was used in the final determination step. Optimization studies revealed, that the optimal pH of the sample solution (after digestion) during analytes extraction is 5.5. A l-proline is added to the sample (375 mM) to ensure the complexation of the target metal cations. After the complexation step, 750 µL of SHS - a N, N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine along with 0.9 mL of 2 M of acetic acid solution is added (hydrophilicity switch-on stage) and mixed manually to obtain a homogeneous solution. In the last stage, 0.45 mL of 10 M NaOH solution (hydrophilicity switch-off stage) is added to the sample solution and a vortex for 100 s is applied to ensure the effective extraction and separation of the complex containing the analytes. At this stage, a cloudy solution is immediately obtained. Finally, the effective phase separation is obtained at the centrifugation step (4000 rpm for 2 mins). The method limit of detection was as 0.03, 0.009, 0.6, and 0.2 ng/L for Zn (II), Fe (II), Cd (II), and Pb (II) respectively with RSD% below 2.0 %. The analysis of certified reference materials and real samples proved the full applicability of the method for routine analysis, contributing to the field of heavy metal analysis and ensuring the safety of baby products. According to the AGREE methodology, this method can be named as green analytical chemistry method with a score of 0.77., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Baijiu quality and safety have received considerable attention owing to the gradual increase in its consumption. However, owing to the unique and complex process of Baijiu production, issues leading to quality and safety concerns may occur during the manufacturing process. Therefore, establishing appropriate analytical methods is necessary for Baijiu quality assurance and process control. Nanomaterial (NM)-based optical sensing techniques have garnered widespread interest because of their unique advantages. However, comprehensive studies on nano-optical sensing technology for quality and safety control of Baijiu are lacking. In this review, we systematically summarize NM-based optical sensor applications for the accurate detection and quantification of analytes closely related to Baijiu quality and safety. Furthermore, we evaluate the sensing mechanisms for each application. Finally, we discuss the challenges nanotechnology poses for Baijiu analysis and future trends. Overall, nanotechnological approaches provide a potentially useful alternative for simplifying Baijiu analysis and improving final product quality and safety. • Baijiu quality and safety are a cause for concern due to its increased consumption. • Nanomaterial-based optical sensing method can effectively determine the analytes responsible for Baijiu quality and safety. • Nanotechnological methods are useful alternatives for simplifying Baijiu analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobials, particularly antibiotics, are among the most common classes of drugs reported as substandard and falsified (SF) in developing countries. Therefore, it is important to develop simple and affordable analytical methods for the quality control of antimicrobial medicines. In this study, a liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) was developed and validated for the screening and quantification of 13 antimicrobial medicines and one beta-lactamase inhibitor in pharmaceutical formulations. LC separation was carried out on a Kinetex C18 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 2.6 µm) with gradient elution. The mobile phase consisted of mixtures of acetonitrile-water-10 mM phosphate buffer pH 3.5 at ratios of 3:92:5, v/v/v for mobile phase A and 50:45:5, v/v/v for mobile phase B with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The screening method was intended for confirmation of the identity of the actives and validated for specificity and robustness, whereas the quantification method (using only a different detection wavelength) was further validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, sensitivity and precision (repeatability, intermediate precision). For all compounds, the method was found to be linear (r 2 > 0.999), precise (%RSD < 1%), accurate (% recovery of 98-102%), sensitive, specific and robust. The developed LC method was successfully applied for the identification and assay of 12 antimicrobial samples from Ethiopia. Among the 12 samples analyzed, one (8.3%) product was confirmed to be falsified., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this current study is to establish a single method for potency and related proteins analysis of human insulin formulations using reverse-phase high performance liquid (RP-HPLC) chromatography technique which was validated and verified for the potency analysis in insulin formulations. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an octadecylsilane (C-18) stationary phase and a mobile phase composed of 55% (v/v) buffer (0.2 M sodium sulfate in water, {pH 2.3}) and 45% (v/v) acetonitrile. Detection was performed by UV detector at 214 nm with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and an injection volume of 20 µL, at 40°C. Currently there are separate methods available in Indian Pharmacopoeia for analysis of Potency and Related proteins in human insulin. We have validated a single method where quantitation of potency and related proteins can be performed in the same run. The method validation exhibited linearity over the concentration range of 0.08-4.5 mg/ml (r 2 =0.999) with limit of detection of 0.094 mg/ml The accuracy of the method was 99-102.8%. Thus, it is proposed that both potency and related proteins in insulin formulations can be precisely evaluated using a single run thus saving the time and cost for quality analysis of insulin preparations both at manufacturing and regulatory laboratories which in turn will increase the market availability of such standard quality insulin preparations for public health use., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Anesthesia is a common practice used to improve animal welfare and reduce the negative impacts of stress factors in aquaculture settings. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the application of anesthetics in ridgetail white prawn (Exopalaemon carinicauda). In the present study, the anesthetic efficacy and protective effects of eugenol in adults of this species were evaluated. When the prawns (n = 5) were immersed in different concentrations of eugenol in the range of 0–240 μL/L for 30 min, the results showed that 180 and 240 μL/L could lead to quick sedative and anesthesia effects with 100% mortality after 30 min exposure, while 30 μL/L failed to induce any sedative and anesthesia effects. Further tests showed that adult individuals were quickly anesthetized by eugenol at a concentration of 60–90 μL/L with a 30 min immersion, while half of the prawns were sedated in 30 μL/L eugenol after 4 h exposure, then recovered at 2 h without any mortality. Furthermore, we checked the water quality parameters after the adult prawns were immersed in four eugenol concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 μL/L) for 8 h of simulated transportation followed by a 96 h recovery, we found that 30 μL/L eugenol treatment could significantly decrease the ammonia nitrogen concentration, and increased the survival rate at 96 h post recovery. The oxidative responses of the prawns during the 8 h transportation at 30 μL/L eugenol followed by 96 h recovery period were analyzed. The results showed that eugenol administration significantly decreased the malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration and the activities of most antioxidant-related enzymes immediately. The present data indicated that eugenol was an efficient anesthetic, which could be used for long-distance transportation of this species. It exhibited excellent protective effects to improve the animal's welfare by improving water quality and alleviating oxidative stress. • Eugenol showed efficacy as an anesthetic for adult Exopalaemon carinicauda. • Eugenol improved the water quality by inhibiting ammonia excretion. • Eugenol exhibited protective effects by alleviating oxidative stress. • 60-90 μl/L eugenol showed high efficiency in inducing sedation and anesthesia in adult E. carinicauda. • 30 μl/L eugenol has the potential to be used for long-distance transportation of adult E. carinicauda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial surface defect detection (ISDD) is vital for manufacturing enterprises to control product quality. Many general object detection (GOD) methods are utilized in this field. However, they rarely take into full account the characteristics of industrial defects. We identify three crucial characteristics in ISDD: complex background, small size defect and irregular shape. To copy with it, in this paper, we proposed a novel real-time anchor-free defect detector for ISDD. Firstly, to reduce noise interfere from complex background, we proposed global feature enhancement module (GFEM) to enhance high-level feature's ability in modeling global information so that background noises are alleviated. Secondly, to enhance small size defect's feature, we introduced local feature enhancement module (LFEM). It enhances small size defect's feature by amplifying local peaks in low-level features. Thirdly, we introduced box refinement module (BRM) to capture defect's shape information to provide more accurate prediction result. Lastly, we evaluated the proposed defect detector's effectiveness using three public ISDD datasets. The experimental results are promising: our detector achieves a mAP of 92.0% on PVEL_AD, 99.6% on the PCB defect dataset, and 81.6% on NEU-DET. These scores outperform state-of-the-art methods, proving the superiority of our proposed detector. Additionally, it reached 46.1 FPS on the PVEL_AD dataset, showing its capability for real-time detection. • We proposed a novel real-time anchor-free defect detector for ISDD. • We proposed GFEM to alleviate the effect of background noise. • We introduced LFEM to enhance small size defect's feature. • We introduced BRM to capture defect's shape information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As equipment lightweight trends progress, thin-walled structures have seen extensive application in critical aerospace components. Nevertheless, the aero-engine tail nozzle flaps are exposed to the harsh operating conditions of high-temperature friction, so there is an urgent requirement to prepare wear-resistant, self-lubricating coatings with a wide range of temperatures for their protection. Due to the poor rigidity and weak strength of thin-walled workpieces and complex forms of structural stresses, the processing is extremely difficult. In order to solve the thermal deformation problem of coating workpieces prepared by spraying on the surface of thin-walled workpieces, the effects of spraying path, cooling airflow, and spraying interval on the thermal force field of thin-walled workpieces to prepare NiCr-Cr 3 C 2 -hBN@Ni coating are investigated in this study using finite element simulation. As a result, the deformation and stress of thin-walled workpieces can be minimized by adding back-side cooling air during the spraying process and moving the cooling air with the gun in a set interval, with the maximum warpage and maximum stress being less than 2.366 mm and 0.177 GPa, respectively. During the spraying process by simulating the optimum spraying process, no significant warpage of the substrate occurred and the coating was sprayed with uniform thickness. Typically, the thickness error rate is 16.7 %, and the coating hardness reaches 15–20 GPa, with excellent tribological properties in a wear rate of 10−5 mm3·N−1·m−1 and 10−6 mm3·N−1·m−1, which protects the workpiece effectively. • We have elucidated the optimal spraying process for thin-walled components. • An integrated experimental approach that combines validation with simulation. • Coatings excel with no substrate deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the importance and complexity of grade identification for rice eating quality, this study aimed to use a self-established flow-injection voltammetric electronic tongue (FIE-tongue) combined with SFFS-BO-SVM to replace human sensory evaluation. A novel FIE-tongue was firstly designed and established in this work, and the optimal rice pretreatment conditions were determined by fractional factorial design (FFD) which used for FIE-tongue detection. Based on optimized detection data, the optimized features and hyperparameters of 16 samples in three eating quality grades for SVM model were obtained by Sequential Floating Forward Selection (SFFS) algorithm and Bayesian Optimization (BO) algorithm, respectively. Compared to the original SVM model established by all features, the accuracy of SFFS-BO-SVM model for different grades were all higher than 92%, and have the increasement of 5.5%, 18.8%, and 11.4%, respectively. Therefore, the FIE-tongue combined with SFFS-BO-SVM method should be promising for rice eating quality grading and other food quality control. • A novel flow-injection E-tongue was established to optimize rice detection. • FFD method was designed to obtain ideal rice pretreatment method. • SFFS-BO-SVM method were designed to increase 11.9% of recognition accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel asymptotic optimization strategy is proposed to adjust the operational conditions iteratively based on the Bayesian optimization method. • The specified quality target is incorporated into the GP framework and EI acquisition function to improve the convergence property. • The improved EI is further combined with BOBYQA to accelerate the convergence, and an efficient warm start rule is developed when switching from BO to BOBYQA. • The comparison results in case studies show that the proposed quality control method can efficiently achieve the specified quality target. How to take as few experiments as possible to achieve the desired quality target is a challenging and essential topic of process quality control, especially for complex and expensive manufacturing processes with high-dimensional quality outputs. This paper proposes a Bayesian optimization (BO)-based strategy utilizing quality information with adaptive local convergence. First, a series of pretreatment setting rules of the Gaussian process model is proposed to reduce the uncertainty of BO. Then, the quality target is adopted into the Gaussian process model, and the acquisition function is improved. Finally, to balance global exploration and local exploitation and reduce the experimental cost, an adaptive criterion is designed to switch global BO search to local search. The operating conditions can be efficiently updated until the quality target is reached. Two applications with high-dimensional quality outputs are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is characterized by its complex and dynamic nature, requiring efficient resource management practices for successful project execution. This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively analyze and synthesize existing research on resource management practices within the construction sector. By examining a wide array of scholarly articles, conference papers, and industry reports, this review identifies and evaluates the various methodologies, strategies, and tools employed for effective resource management in construction projects. The review encompasses an extensive analysis of key themes, including but not limited to labor management, equipment utilization, material procurement, and technological advancements in resource optimization. It delves into the challenges faced by the construction industry concerning resource allocation, skill shortages, cost control, sustainability concerns, and the impact of unforeseen disruptions. Furthermore, this review critically assesses the implications of resource management practices on project performance, encompassing aspects such as project timelines, budget adherence, quality control, and stakeholder satisfaction. The findings from this systematic review provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of resource management practices in the construction industry. Additionally, it identifies gaps in the literature and suggests areas for future research, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches and adaptive strategies to address the evolving demands and complexities within construction project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melamine, a typical nitrogen enriched organic compound exhibiting great potential in the industrial sector, is exploited as an adulterant to inflate protein levels in dairy products, can pose serious threats to humans and therefore necessitates its swift detection and precise quantification at its first exposure. In this investigation, sensitive and reliable sensor probes were fabricated using CuO nanoparticles and its nanocomposites (NCs) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB), and graphene oxide (GO) to promptly quantify melamine in dairy products. The optical, morphological, and structural characteristics of the CuO-CNT NCs were achieved using diverse instrumental techniques including UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X- ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and etc. The fabrication of glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) was accomplished by coating CuO-CNT NCs through a binder (5 % nafion). These sensor probes demonstrated outstanding electrochemical sensor performance with CuO-CNT NCs/Nafion/GCE sensor probe in terms of very low limit of detection (0.27 nM), good linearity range (0.05-0.5 nM), and relatively high sensitivity (93.924 µA µM -1  m -2 ) for melamine under optimized experimental conditions. Furthermore, the performance of CuO-CNT NCs/Nafion/GCE coated sensor probes was practically validated for the selective melamine detection in the real sample analysis of commercially available milk brands, which revealed significant figures of merit in a very short response time of 10 s. From the results, it was concluded that the current study might be helpful in the development of an efficient commercial sensor based on ultra-sensitive transition metal oxides in the field of health care monitoring, food stuffs in a broader scale as well as food applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

It is uncertain how the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology transforms industrial work. We address this question from the perspective of cognitive systems, which, in this case, includes considerations of AI and process transparency, resilience, division of labor, and worker skills. We draw from a case study on glass tempering that includes a machine-vision-based quality control system and an advanced automation process control system. Based on task analysis and background literature, we develop the concept of hybrid intelligence that implies balanced AI transparency that supports upskilling and resilience. So-called fragmented intelligence, in turn, may result from the combination of the complexity of advanced automation along with the complexity of the process physics that places critical emphasis on expert knowledge. This combination can result in the so-called "double black box effect", given that designing for understandability for the line workers might not be feasible: expert networks are needed for resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Role of NIR in honey authenticity. • Focus on powerful analytical and non-destructive technique NIR along with chemometrics. • Effectiveness of NIR to determine quality of honey and quantification of major components. • Current state of art of NIR in adulteration detection, geographical and botanical origin determination. Honey, recognized for its diverse flavors and nutritional benefits, confronts challenges in maintaining authenticity and quality due to factors like adulteration and mislabelling. This review undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the utility of Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a non-destructive analytical method for concurrently evaluating both honey quantity and authenticity. The primary purpose of this investigation is to delve into the various applications of NIR spectroscopy in honey analysis, with a specific focus on its capability to identify and quantify significant quality parameters such as sugar content, moisture levels, 5-HMF, and proline content. Results from the study underscore the effectiveness of NIR spectroscopy, especially when integrated with advanced chemometrics models. This combination not only facilitates quantification of diverse quality parameters but also enhances the classification of honey based on geographical and botanical origin. The technology emerges as a potent tool for detecting adulteration, addressing critical challenges in preserving the authenticity and quality of honey products. The impact of this critical analysis extends to shedding light on the current state, challenges, and future prospects of applying NIR spectroscopy in the honey industry. This analysis outlines the current challenges and future prospects of NIR spectroscopy in the honey industry. Emphasizing its potential to improve consumer confidence and food safety, the research has broader implications for authenticity and quality assurance in honey. Integrating NIR spectroscopy into industry practices could establish stronger quality control measures, benefiting both producers and consumers globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In order to solve the problem that the pulsewidth modulation strategy has poor dynamic characteristics at low switching frequencies, a predictive method is proposed. • Aiming at the difficulty of adjusting the weight factors, a self-adjusting strategy of the weight factors is proposed, which evaluates and adjusts the weight factors according to the harmonic component obtained by real-time calculation to meet the requirements. • In order to further improve the real-time performance, the sliding discrete Fourier analysis is applied to extract harmonic components in real time. Active front-end converters are part of high power installations for regenerative energy systems, feeding the regenerated energy into the utility. Under the island mode operation of the regenerative energy system, the load characteristics are difficult to detect, and the change of the load characteristics will cause the corresponding resonance. V/f control is usually used to ensure the harmonic quality. At high switching frequency, it has a good control effect. However, high switching frequency causes high switching loss. In order to reduce the switching loss, it will produce more harmonic distortion. Furthermore, the commonly used modulation strategies in this case face the problem of low real-time performance. Therefore, in order to avoid the harm caused by circuit resonance under the condition of reducing the switching frequency, this paper proposes a specific harmonic suppression algorithm with high real-time performance, which can be used as an optional control algorithm in the island operation state of power system. At the same time, aiming at the difficulty of adjusting the weight factors, this paper proposes a weight factor automatic tuner, which automatically adjusts the weight factors according to the harmonic component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, Accurate, precise method was developed for the estimation of the Camylofin and Mefenamic acid in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. The chromatogram was run through HSS 100 x 2.1 mm, 1.8. Mobile phase containing 0.1N Phosphate buffer: Methanol taken in the ratio 55:45 (% v/v) was pumped through the column at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. Temperature was maintained at 30°C. The optimized wavelength selected was ACQUITY TUV detector ChA 220.0 nm. Retention time of Camylofin was found to be 1.455 min Mefenamic acid was found to be 1.099 min. %RSD of the Camylofin and Mefenamic acid was found to be 0.9 and 0.9. %Recovery was obtained as 99.97% for Camylofin and 100.44 for Mefenamic acid. LOD and LOQ values obtained from regression equations of Camylofin were 0.03 and 0.08 respectively, and the Regression equation is y = 37722x + 1092.5. LOD and LOQ values obtained from regression equations of Mefenamic acid were 0.08 and 0.23 respectively, and the Regression equation is y = 30948x +6750.5. The chromatographic run time was decreased and method was rugged and robust, so the method developed was simple and economical and can be adopted in regular Quality control test in Industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The diagnosis and treatment of general practice often involve multi-system and multi-organ diseases, resulting in a large number of consultations. However, there is limited research on the current state of general practice consultation. Objective This study aims to collect relevant data on general practice consultation at Fuxing Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University, a tertiary general hospital and analyze the current situation of general practice consultation to improve the quality of general practice consultation at Fuxing Hospital and provide insights for hierarchical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The data of general practice consultation in Fuxing Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from 2021 to 2022 were obtained through the hospital information system, and the basic information, consultation departments, consultation reasons, consultation diagnosis, and consultation opinions were classified and summarized. Results From 2021 to 2022, a total of 1 441 inpatients were admitted to the general practice department at Fuxing Hospital. Among them, 908 inpatients had consultation records. A total of 2 269 in-hospital consultations were issued, 966 consultations were executed while 303 were cancelled. Among the executed consultations, there were 987 males and 979 females. The age ranged from 17 to 101 years old, with an average age of (77.4±13.9) years old. A total of 31 clinical departments were involved, among which the top 6 departments with the most consultations were rehabilitation department, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, dermatology, infectious disease department and psychiatry. The most common diagnoses among these departments included dysfunction, sensorineural deafness, cataract , dermatitis, pulmonary infection and anxiety. The reasons for consultation included formulating initial treatment plans, adjusting current treatment plans, improving specialist examinations, assisting with specialized treatment and conducting specialist evaluations. The consultation treatment opinions can be roughly divided into professional evaluation, improving examinations, clarifying diagnosis, drug therapy, clinical operations, surgical treatment, nutritional therapy and rehabilitation acupuncture. Conclusion The diagnosis and treatment scope of general medicine includes common diseases and frequently occurring diseases in various systems, with a large demand for consultation. The spectrum of consultation diseases reflects the clinical needs and characteristics of the general medicine department of Fuxing Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University. Analyzing the current situation of consultation is conducive to making up for the shortcomings of general medicine, improving the quality of general consultation, and taking the first step towards referral between general medicine and specialists.

[Display omitted] • 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole were determined in açaí -based products. • PIL-based SPME was combined with GC–MS to enable analysis. • A multivariate approach assisted by Derringer & Suich's tools was used in this work. • The validated method showed appropriate analytical figures of merit. • 4-methylimidazole was detected in açaí -based food product using SPME-GC–MS. In this study, polymeric ionic liquids featuring different functional moieties were applied as sorbent coatings in direct-immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) for the extraction of 2-methylimidazole (2-MI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) from açaí -based food products followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. The analytical method was optimized using a sequential experimental design. Variables used in GC–MS such as desorption time, as well as for SPME-DI, including extraction time, extraction temperature, incubation time of extraction, amount of NaCl in the extract, and stirring rate, were optimized. The fitness-for-purpose of the method was verified by the linearity of matrix-matched calibration curves (R2 ≥ 0.9921), adequate recoveries (81.7–89.7 %), and precision (relative standard deviations ≤11.2 %). The method was applied to twenty-five samples of açaí -based food products. 4-MI was found in four samples whereas 2-MI was not detected above the limit of detection. The method was found to be suitable for quality control analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The quality requirements of Corydalis Rhizoma (CR) in different producing areas are uniform, resulting in uneven efficacy. As a genuine producing area, the effective quality control of CR in Zhejiang Province (ZJ) could provide a theoretical basis for the rational application of medicinal materials., Aim of the Study: The purpose of this study was to effectively distinguish the CR inside and outside ZJ, and provided a theoretical basis for the quality control and material basis research of ZJ CR., Materials and Methods: The core components of ZJ CR could be identified by HPLC combined with chemometrics screening, and the quality of CR from different producing areas was evaluated by a genetic algorithm-back propagation (GA-BP) neural network. Chromaticity and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy were used to identify CR inside and outside ZJ, and rapid content prediction was realized. The analgesic effect of CR in different regions was compared by a zebrafish analgesic experiment. Analgesic experiments in rats and analysis of the research status of quality components were used to screen the quality control components of ZJ CR., Results: The contents of palmatine hydrochloride (YSBMT), dehydrocorydaline (TQZJJ), tetrahydropalmatine (YHSYS), tetrahydroberberine (SQXBJ), corydaline (YHSJS), stylopine (SQHLJ), and isoimperatorin (YOQHS) in ZJ CR were higher than those in CR from outside ZJ, but the content of protopine (YAPJ) and berberine hydrochloride (YSXBJ) was lower than that in CR from outside ZJ. YHSJS and SQHLJ could be used as the core components to identify ZJ CR. The GA-BP neural network showed that the relative importance of ZJ CR was the strongest. Chroma-content correlation analysis and the NIR qualitative model could effectively distinguish CR from inside and outside of ZJ, and the NIR quantitative model could quickly predict the content of CR from inside and outside of ZJ. Zebrafish experiments showed that ZJ, Shaanxi (SX), Henan (HN), and Sichuan (SC) CR had significant analgesic effects, while Hebei (HB) CR had no significant analgesic effect. Overall comparison, the analgesic effect of ZJ CR was better than that of CR outside ZJ. The comprehensive score of the grey correlation degree between YAPJ, YSBMT, YSXBJ, TQZJJ, YHSYS, YHSJS, SQXBJ, and SQHLJ were higher than 0.9, and the research frequency were extremely high., Conclusions: The relative importance of the content and origin of most components of ZJ CR was higher than that of CR outside ZJ. The holistic analgesic effect of ZJ CR was better than that of CR outside ZJ, but slightly lower than that of SX CR. YHSJS and SQHLJ could be used as the core components to identify ZJ CR. YAPJ, YSBMT, YSXBJ, TQZJJ, YHSYS, SQXBJ, YHSJS, and SQHLJ could be used as the quality control components of ZJ CR. The multidimensional evaluation method used in this study provided a reference for the quality control and material basis research of ZJ CR., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that we have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a non-atherosclerotic segmental inflammatory occlusive disease with a high recurrence rate, high disability rate, difficulty to cure, and poor prognosis. It has been clinically proven that Mailuoshutong pill (MLSTP) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine for treating TAO. As MLSTP contains hundreds of chemical components, the quality control of which is a challenge in the development of reliable quality evaluation metrics. This study aimed to evaluate the quality uniformity of MLSTP by establishing a multi-strategy platform. In the present study, the key targets and signaling pathways of MLSTP treating TAO were predicted by network pharmacology. It was further shown by in vivo validation experiments that MLSTP exerted therapeutic effects on TAO by modulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. In addition, UPLC fingerprints of MLSTP were established and screened for potential Q-markers of MLSTP in combination with network pharmacology results. Six components, including chlorogenic acid, liquiritin, paeoniflorin, calycosin-7-glucoside, berberine, and formononetin, were selected as potential quality markers (Q-markers) in MLSTP. Finally, the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) method was established to quantitatively analyze the six potential Q-markers, and the results were consistent with those obtained by the external standard method (ESM). Taken together, the multi-strategy platform established in this study would be conducive to the Q-markers screening and quality control of MLSTP, improving the quality standard of MLSTP and providing favorable assurance for the clinical management of TAO., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Clinical laboratories should guarantee sample stability in specific storage conditions for further analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stability of plasma samples under refrigeration for 29 common biochemical analytes usually ordered within an emergency context, in order to determine the maximum allowable period for conducting add-on testing., Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patient samples were collected in lithium heparin tubes without gel separator. All analyses were performed using Alinity systems (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, USA) and samples were stored at 2-8 °C. Measurements were conducted in primary plasma tubes at specific time points up to 48 hours, with an additional stability study in plasma aliquots extending the time storage up to 96 hours. The stability limit was estimated considering the total limit of change criteria., Results: Of the 29 studied parameters, 24 demonstrated stabilities within a 48-hour storage period in primary plasma tubes. However, five analytes: aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, inorganic phosphate and potassium evidenced instability at different time points (7.9 hours, 2.7 hours, 2.9 hours, 6.2 hours and 4.7 hours, respectively). The stability study in plasma aliquots showed that all parameters remained stable for 96 hours, except lactate dehydrogenase, with a stability limit of 63 hours., Conclusions: A reduced stability of primary plasma samples was observed for five common biochemical analytes ordered in an emergency context. To ensure the quality of add-on testing for these samples, plasma aliquots provide stability for a longer period., Competing Interests: Potential conflict of interest None declared., (Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.)

The use of blockchain technology in the supply chain for fresh agricultural products (FAP) is becoming an issue for decision-makers who want to improve control and performance. Blockchain can give consumers real information about a product, which is good for building trust in a brand. However, its profits and associated costs must be well-adjusted when executing blockchain solutions. This study looks at a two-step FAP supply chain with only one retailer and one producer. The FAP is produced and processed by the manufacturer, who then supplies it to the retailer. The manufacturer simultaneously operates an online/e-tail channel to sell its product. The company gives consumers the right certificates using sustainable organic production and green packaging. End consumers' demand is based on the retail price, the e-tail price, how fresh the product is, how long it takes to check the quality level, and how real the green certificates are. Two models of decentralized decision-making are created to investigate the execution criteria of blockchain technology. A centralized decision-making model with blockchain technology is also being developed to get the best channel performance. We use subgame-perfect equilibrium to resolve channel conflict and for coordination. Then, extended alternative offer bargaining is suggested as a way for the retailer and the manufacturer to decide how to split the extra money. Finally, a numerical example depicted that although blockchain technology benefits the supply chain members, consumers have to pay more to get the service. It is also found that if a firm can form and maintain a trustworthy atmosphere for its FAP then it may continue its business without implementing the blockchain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cape gooseberries possess high nutritional value, characterized by elevated levels of vitamin C. This study proposed the application of near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) coupled with chemometrics (Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) and Support Vector Machine Regression (SVMR)) to predict vitamin C content (mg/mL), firmness (N), soluble solids content (SSC) (°Brix), and titratable acidity (TA) (%). Vitamin C content was the property with best prediction performance (RMSEP = 4.15 (mg/mL) and RPD = 2.61.) SVMR for predicting firmness achieved an RPD of 2.31, while for predicting SSC and titratable acidity, RMSEP values were <1 %. The bottom/calyx of berries proved to be the best region for image acquisition. Overall, full-spectral-based PLSR and SVMR exhibited comparable performance regarding RPD values. However, following a meticulous variable selection process, SVMR demonstrated superior adaptability to dimensionality reduction, increasing +17 % RPD values. Finally, we demonstrate that NIR-HSI could predict the physicochemical composition of Cape gooseberries. • Hyperspectral imaging was implemented to quality control of Cape gooseberries. • Full-spectral PLSR and SVMR showed similar performance to predict properties of Cape gooseberries. • Vitamin C reached RMSEP = 3.67 and RPD = 2.61 by SVMR prediction. • SVMR-based selected wavelengths increased RPD values from 7 to 17 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, wave measurements from a Radac wave radar installed on the TetraSpar Demonstrator floating wind turbine are analysed and compared to measurements from an adjacent Fugro Midi wave buoy and MET Norway model forecasts. The wave radar is found to agree well with the wave buoy and model forecasts in most cases, giving confidence to use the data for engineering calculations and design. Some discrepancy in the measured spreading is observed, but analysis of raw wave data indicates that the wave radar measures similar spreading values to the pitch, roll and heave wave buoy. Wave diffraction by the local structure is found to have a small impact on the high-frequency tail of the measured spectra, but has minimal impact on the measured bulk wave parameters. Measurements of spurious large wave crest events appear to be associated with sea-spray from the centre column for a particular wave direction. Quality control procedures implemented in the wave radar software remove these spurious large crest events. • Wave radar measurements agree well with Midi buoy measurements and model forecasts. • Wave radar directional spreading measurements are similar to those from a Midi buoy. • The effect of diffraction by the floater structure is small but measurable. • Spurious crest measurements are observed and are likely associated with sea spray. • The wave radar should be positioned carefully to avoid the effect of sea spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Clinopodium chinense Kuntze (CC) and Clinopodium polycephalum (Vaniot) C. Y. Wu & S. J. Hsuan (CP) are both included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (edition 2020) as the legitimate source of "Duan Xue Liu" (DXL), which is a crucial traditional Chinese medicine used as a clinical remedy for bleeding diseases. However, the differences in plant endogenous metabolites and bioactivities between CC and CP are still unclear., Aim of the Study: This study aims to provide a scientific basis to investigate the differences between CC and CP ensuring the efficient and safe use of DXL., Materials and Methods: A multidimensional strategy including plant metabolomics, digital reference standard (DRS) analyzer, and biological activities assay was creatively constructed for the characterization, distinction, and quality control of CC and CP., Results: There were apparent differences in the metabolites between CC and CP. 7 compounds contributing to the differences were successfully identified. On that basis, linear calibration using two reference substances (LCTRS) methods was proved as a more accurate and specific quality analysis method for CC and CP. In addition, bioactivity assays showed that both CC and CP exhibited obvious hemostatic activity, while CC showed greater potential to resist inflammation and free radicals., Conclusion: In summary, it was the first time to investigate the chemical constituents and bioactivities differences between CC and CP with the help of plant metabolomics, DRS study, and biological activity assays. These two plants were significantly separated in the integrated analysis, suggesting that we should pay attention to the distinction to prevent unexpected risks caused by medicinal materials., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interest or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Clinical and experimental evidences have confirmed the significant therapeutic effects of rhubarb on ulcerative colitis (UC), but the strong purgative function of rhubarb also aggravates UC symptoms such as bloody diarrhea. Stir-baking to scorch is a traditional Chinese medicinal processing method that can eliminate the adverse purgative function while keep or even enhance the UC therapeutic function of rhubarb. However, the under-baked rhubarb still have the undesirable purgative function, but the over-baked rhubarb may lose the required medicinal functions. Therefore, the determination of the right endpoint is the primary quality concern about the baking process of rhubarb. In this research, typical anthraquinone compounds and mid-infrared (MIR) spectra were recruited to determine the best baking degree of rhubarb for UC therapy. Raw rhubarb slices were baked at 180 °C with rotation to prepare the rhubarbs with different baking degrees. The right-baked rhubarb was defined according to the UC therapeutic responses as well as the traditional color criterion. Referring to the typical anthraquinone compounds in rhubarb slices and extracts, the baking degree of rhubarb may be assessed by the conversion ratio of anthraquinone glycosides to anthraquinone aglycones. MIR spectra showed the gradual decompositions of organic compounds including anthraquinone glycosides and tannins during the baking process. Rhubarbs with different baking degrees can be distinguished clearly by MIR-based principal component analysis. In conclusion, the ratio of anthraquinone glycosides to anthraquinone aglycones may be a reasonable chemical indicator of the right-baked rhubarb. Meanwhile, MIR spectroscopy can identify the right-baked rhubarb simply and rapidly., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)