Achilles tendon morpho-mechanical parameters are related to triceps surae motor unit firing properties.

Recent studies combining high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) and ultrasound imaging have yielded valuable insights into the relationship between motor unit activity and muscle contractile properties. However, limited evidence exists on the relationship between motor unit firing properties and tendon morpho-mechanical properties. This study aimed to determine the relationship between triceps surae motor unit firing properties and the morpho-mechanical properties of the Achilles tendon (AT). Motor unit firing properties (i.e. mean discharge rate (DR) and coefficient of variation of the interspike interval (COVisi)) and motor unit firing-torque relationships (cross-correlation between cumulative spike train (CST) and torque, and the delay between motor unit firing and torque production (neuromechanical delay)) of the medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and soleus (SO) muscles were assessed using HD-sEMG during isometric plantarflexion contractions at 10% and 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The morpho-mechanical properties of the AT (i.e. length, thickness, cross-sectional area and resting stiffness) were determined using B-mode ultrasonography and shear-wave elastography. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that at 10% MVC, the DR of the triceps surae muscles explained 41.7% of the variance in resting AT stiffness. Additionally, at 10% MVC, COVisi SO predicted 30.4% of the variance in AT length. At 40% MVC, COVisi MG and COVisi SO explained 48.7% of the variance in AT length. Motor unit-torque relationships were not associated with any morpho-mechanical parameter. This study provides novel evidence of a contraction-intensity dependent relationship between motor unit firing parameters of the triceps surae muscle and the morpho-mechanical properties of the AT.

Datasets on the production routes and the properties of plant powders for manufacturing of green products.

The diversity of the plant biomass available on earth makes plants an exceptional resource for replacing fossil resources in green chemistry, bioenergy and biobased materials. For numerous applications, and especially the high-tech ones (building block molecules, high-power bioenergy, additive manufacturing of biobased materials), the macrostructure assemblies of the plant biomass often need to be first broken down into a fine powder. This can be achieved by dry fractionation process combining comminution and sorting steps. The chemical and physical properties of the ground plant powder results both from the process conditions, the histological structure and chemical composition of the raw plant materials. In a forward engineering approach, the quality of the final products can be highly improved by the selection of the right powder (raw materials and production process) for the right application. This article provides production routes together with physical and chemical characterization of 10 biomass powders from 6 different biomass feedstocks (SP - spirulina, HI - hibiscus, PB - pine bark, HC - hemp Core, RH - rice husk and RHA - rice husk ash). These feedstocks represent a broad range of raw materials properties. For pine bark, hemp core, rice husk and rice husk ash, two grades of powders related to two different particle sizes were produced by two different routes to highlight the impact of the comminution process on the powder properties. The devices used and the process parameters are described. The morphological properties of the powder were quantified using laser diffraction (particle size) and image analysis (shape factor) and qualitatively analyzed with SEM. The specific surface area was determined using gas sorption with BET theory, and the hygroscopic properties were measured using direct vapor sorption. The chemical characterizations were determined with a set of biochemical assays and, complementary, FTIR and fluorescence spectra were recorded to provide fingerprints of samples. The dataset includes tables that summarize the main characteristic descriptors of each analysis as well as the raw data. The data are registered in the French Research Data Gouv public repository and also stored in the PO2 BaGaTel database using the PO2/TransformON ontology [1]. SPO2Q web tool allows on line querying of the database, which can also be consulted using PO2 manager desktop application [[1], [2], [3]].

Ultrasonication: An Efficient Alternative for the Physical Modification of Starches, Flours and Grains.

Ultrasonic (USC) treatments have been applied to starches, flours and grains to modify their physicochemical properties and improve their industrial applicability. The extent of the modification caused by USC treatment depends on the treatment conditions and the natural characteristics of the treated matter. Cavitation leads to structural damage and fragmentation and partial depolymerization of starch components. The amorphous regions are more susceptible to being disrupted by ultrasonication, while the crystalline regions require extended USC exposure to be affected. The increased surface area in USC-treated samples has a higher interaction with water, resulting in modification of the swelling power, solubility, apparent viscosity, pasting properties and gel rheological and textural properties. Starch digestibility has been reported to be modified by ultrasonication to different extents depending on the power applied. The most important treatment variables leading to more pronounced modifications in USC treatments are the botanical origin of the treated matter, USC power, time, concentration and temperature. The interaction between these factors also has a significant impact on the damage caused by the treatment. The molecular rearrangement and destruction of starch structures occur simultaneously during the USC treatment and the final properties of the modified matrix will depend on the array of treatment parameters. This review summarizes the known effects of ultrasonic treatments in modifying starches, flours and grains.

Assessment of Selected Chemical and Morphological Properties of Lonicera var. kamtschatica and Lonicera var. emphyllocalyx Treated with Gaseous Ozone.

Lonicera caerulea L. fruits are a rich source of vitamins, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, which are characterised by their health-promoting properties. The content of bioactive compounds in this fruit may vary depending on the cultivar and the harvest date. This study analysed the effect of applying 5 ppm gaseous ozone for 1, 3, and 5 min on the chemical properties of L. kamtschatica varieties and newly created clones of L. emphyllocalyx for three years of cultivation. The fruits harvested from L. emphyllocalyx, depending on the year of harvest, had significantly larger size and weight compared to L. kamtschatica. On average, the acidity of the L. emphyllocalyx clones was 6% higher than other tested varieties. The average content of ascorbic acid was highest in L. emphyllocalyx clone '21-17'-57.80 mg·100 g-1; the year of harvest will significantly affect the content of vitamin C, reaching the highest level in 2022-53.92 mg·100 g-1. The total content of polyphenols was significantly dependent on the year of cultivation; reaching, on average, 54.8% more in 2022 compared to the rest of the years. The total antioxidant value using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS methods varied depending on the variety; exposure to ozone significantly increased the antioxidant value in each case. On the basis of the study, both botanical varieties can be used in food processing. Gaseous ozone exposure can significantly influence chemical composition, increasing the health-promoting value of fruit.

Reaction-dependent optical behavior and theoretical perspectives of colloidal ZnSe quantum dots.

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are attracting research interest because of their unique optical properties that result from the quantum confinement effect. ZnSe QDs, which are II-VI semiconductors, offer a wide direct bandgap (2.7 eV), making them promising for applications such as light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, and biomedical labeling. In the present work, colloidal ZnSe (QDs) were synthesized by the hot-injection method with a Zn:Se ratio of 1:1. The optical properties of ZnSe QDs obtained at different reaction times were investigated by spectrophotometric UV-vis absorption and emission measurements. The as-synthesized ZnSe QDs exhibit blue excitonic emission, and no defect emission was detected. Transmission electron micrographs indicated that the QDs have a spherical morphology with dimensions ranging from 3.69 to 4.53 nm. In particular, the Brus model was applied to demonstrate a correlation between the QD sizes and the optical bandgaps obtained from Tauc plots.

Comparative study of iodine-doped and undoped pyrrole grafting with plasma on poly (glycerol sebacate) scaffolds and its human dental pulp stem cells compatibility.

This study addresses the morphological and chemical characterization of PGS scaffolds after (6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 min) residence in undoped pyrrole plasma (PGS-PPy) and the evaluation of cell viability with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). The results were compared with a previous study that used iodine-doped pyrrole (PGS-PPy/I). Analyses through SEM and AFM revealed alterations in the topography and quantity of deposited PPy particles. FTIR spectra of PGS-PPy scaffolds confirmed the presence of characteristic absorption peaks of PPy, with higher intensities observed in the nitrile and -C≡C- groups compared to PGS-PPy/I scaffolds, while raman spectra indicated a lower presence of polaron N+ groups. On the other hand, PGS scaffolds modified with PPy exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to PGS-PPy/I scaffolds, as evidenced by the Live/Dead assay. Furthermore, the PGS-PPy scaffolds at 6 and 12 min, and particularly the PGS-PPy/I scaffold at 6 min, showed the best results in terms of cell viability by the fifth day of culture. The findings of this study suggest that undoped pyrrole plasma modification for short durations could also be a viable option to enhance the interaction with hDPSCs, especially when the treatment times range between 6 min and 12 min.

Degradation of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) compound in different environments.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a promising biodegradable bio-based material, which is designed for a vast range of applications, depending on its composite. This study aims to assess the degradability of a PHBV-based compound under different conditions. The research group followed different methodological approaches and assessed visual and mass changes, mechanical and morphological properties, spectroscopic and structural characterisation, along with thermal behaviour. The Ph-Stat (enzymatic degradation) test and total dry solids (TDS)/total volatile solids (TVS) measurements were carried out. Finally, the team experimentally evaluated the amount of methane and carbon dioxide produced, i.e., the degree of biodegradation under aerobic conditions. According to the results, different types of tests have shown differing effects of environmental conditions on material degradation. In conclusion, this paper provides a summary of the investigations regarding the degradation behaviour of the PHBV-based compound under varying environmental factors. The main strengths of the study lie in its multi-faceted approach, combining assessments of PHBV-based compound degradability under different conditions using various analytical tools, such as visual and mass changes, mechanical and morphological properties, spectroscopic and structural characterization, and thermal behavior. These methods collectively contribute to the robustness and reliability of the undertaken work.

Piezo inkjet formation of Ag nanoparticles from microdots arrays for surface plasmonic resonance.

The study aims to explore a novel approach for fabricating plasmonic nanostructures to enhance the optical properties and performance of various optoelectronic devices. The research begins by employing a piezo-inkjet printing technique to deposit drops containing Ag nanoparticles (NPs) onto a glass substrate at a predefined equidistance, with the goal of obtaining arrays of Ag microdots (Ag-µdots) on the glass substrate. This process is followed by a thermal annealing treatment. The printing parameters are first optimized to achieve uniform deposition of different sizes of Ag-µdots arrays by controlling the number of Ag ink drops. Subsequently, the printed arrays undergo thermal annealing at various temperatures in air for 60 min, enabling precise and uniform control over nanoparticle formation. The printed Ag nanoparticles are characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to analyze their morphological features, ensuring their suitability for plasmonic applications. UV-Vis spectrophotometry is employed to investigate the enhanced surface-plasmonic-resonance properties of the printed AgNPs. Measurements confirm that the equidistant arrays of AgNPs obtained from annealing Ag microdots exhibit enhanced light-matter interaction, leading to a surface plasmon resonance response dependent on the Ag NPs' specific surface area. These enhanced surface plasmonic resonances open avenues for developing cutting-edge optoelectronic devices that leverage the benefits of plasmonic nanostructures, thereby enabling new opportunities for future technological developments across various fields.

Effect of chemical treatments of arundo donax L. fibre on mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA/PP blend composite filament for FDM 3D printing.

Arundo donax L. is investigated in this study as a suitable reinforcing agent for PLA/PP waste blend 3D printing filament. To improve the compatibility of the fibre and polymer, the Arundo fibre was chemically modified using alkali and silane treatment. Untreated and treated fibres were extruded with Polymer blends before being 3D printed. Effect of chemical treatment on thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the composites was investigated. The tensile, Izod impact, and water absorption of the 3D printed specimens were also tested. The Alkali treated (ALK) and combination of alkali and silane treatment (SLN) composites displayed good results. Tensile strength and modulus of the materials increased, as well as their maintained stability in the Izod impact test, demonstrating that the incorporation of ArF did not result in a loss in performance. SEM examination supported these findings by confirming the creation of beneficial interfacial contacts between the matrix and fibre components, as demonstrated by the lack of void between the matrix and the fibre surface. Furthermore, the alkali treatment of the ArF resulted in a considerable reduction in water absorption inside the biocomposite, with a 64% reduction seen in ALK composite comparison to the untreated composite (Un). After the 43-day assessment period.

Nanoscale morphology, optical dynamics and gas sensor of porous silicon.

We investigated the multifaceted gas sensing properties of porous silicon thin films electrodeposited onto (100) oriented P-type silicon wafers substrates. Our investigation delves into morphological, optical properties, and sensing capabilities, aiming to optimize their use as efficient gas sensors. Morphological analysis revealed the development of unique surfaces with distinct characteristics compared to untreated sample, yielding substantially rougher yet flat surfaces, corroborated by Minkowski Functionals analysis. Fractal mathematics exploration emphasized that despite increased roughness, HF/ethanol-treated surfaces exhibit flatter attributes compared to untreated Si sample. Optical approaches established a correlation between increased porosity and elevated localized states and defects, influencing the Urbach energy value. This contributed to a reduction in steepness values, attributed to heightened dislocations and structural disturbances, while the transconductance parameter decreases. Simultaneously, porosity enhances the strength of electron‒phonon interaction. The porous silicon thin films were further tested as effective gas sensors for CO2 and O2 vapors at room temperature, displaying notable changes in electrical resistance with varying concentrations. These findings bring a comprehensive exploration of some important characteristics of porous silicon surfaces and established their potential for advanced industrial applications.

Chemical, thermal and morphological properties of polybutylene succinate-waste pineapple leaf fibres composites.

The use of natural fibres for polymer composite applications has been widely researched due to the biodegradable and lightweight nature of natural fibres. To achieve good adhesion and compatibility between the matrix and the fibre filler, prior modification of the fibre surface via the use of various methods has been found to be effective. The natural fibres have been modified using chemical, physical, radiation, grafting and biological methods. The current study aims to evaluate the effect of sodium hydroxide-treated waste pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) content on the chemical, thermal, and morphological properties of polybutylene succinate (PBS) composites. PBS-PALF composites with fibre content ranging from 0 to 20 wt% were prepared using an internal mixer and their properties were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The FTIR results showed no noticeable functionality differences among the composites, however, carbonyl groups from PBS polymer at ∼1700 cm-1 and hydroxyl groups from PALF at ∼3000 cm-1 were observed in the composites. The water absorption uptake of the composites increased with fibre content due to the hydrophilic nature of the PALF fibres and the highest water absorption percentage achieved was ∼30 %. The incorporation of the fibres into the PBS matrix decreased the crystallinity of the composites as shown by the XRD peaks at 2Ï´ = 22 and 30°. SEM images of the composites with 20 wt% exhibited morphologies where the fibres protruded out from the polymer matrix, and this was ascribed to the agglomerated fibres which were poorly mixed with the matrix at the higher fibre content. Overall, the incorporation of high PALF content in the composites disrupted the crystallinity and thermal stability of the PBS matrix. The composites have potential in industrial agricultural mulching film applications due to their sustainability characteristics.

Polyvinyl alcohol nanoparticles loaded with propolis extract: Fabrication, characterization and antimicrobial activity.

Background and Purpose: Propolis has high potential beneficial bioactive properties such as anti-oxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-tumour activities. However, the bitter taste and the insolubility nature of propolis in water lead to some limitations in their usage in functional food applications. Experimental Approach: Herein, we evaluated the effects of nanoencapsulation of propolis at the different concentration levels (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 %) into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanoparticles using the electrospraying method, on the structural, physical, antioxidant, antimicrobial and thermal properties. Key Results: The results revealed that the fabricated nanocapsules (PVA-NPs) obtained under optimal conditions had uniform size distribution and unstable particles with small particle size between 104-258 nm, a polydispersity index <0.317, and a zeta potential between -5 and +5 mV. The maximum encapsulation efficiency of PVA-NPs was about 25.32 % for 1 % of the initial propolis loading level. DSC thermal experiments showed an increase in the thermal stability of the propolis loaded PVA nanoparticles as compared to the neat PVA nanoparticles. The percent inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging activity of the nanocapsules was between 80 and 89 %. SEM analysis revealed that PVA-NPs had a spherical shape with a rough surface and were composed of long and thin fibres at nanometric diameters. FT-IR analysis showed that no indications of any chemical reactions were found between the constituents of the core and wall material due to their physical mixing. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated by the Broth dilution method and PVA-NPs exhibited good inhibitory activity against S. aureus at low concentration ratios, whereas it had no inhibitory activity against E. coli O157:H7. Conclusion: PVA-NPs fabricated using the electrospraying technique can be used for the development of a new promising natural and bioactive agent in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

The performance tests of three-dimensional printing titanium alloy craniomaxillofacial bone plate: A preliminary preclinical study.

Background/purpose: Because of the complex anatomical structure of the maxillofacial skeleton, bending plates is necessary during surgery. The fast developing three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology has provided a new method for making personalized craniomaxillofacial bone plates. However, the properties of these bone plates remain unknown. This study evaluates the mechanical, fatigue, and morphological properties of these bone plates, which may provide data supporting future clinical applications. Materials and methods: The 3DP bone plate was fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM) technologies. Mechanical, surface, and defect analyses were performed to compare their properties with a standard machined sample. One-way analysis of variance was applied, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The 3DP craniomaxillofacial bone plate had better bending strength than that of the standard machined plate (p < 0.01). Whereas the fatigue resistance of the 3DP bone plate needs to be improved in the future. Surface analysis indicated greater roughness of the 3DP bone plate (p < 0.01). However, the surface roughness could be significantly reduced by polishing the surface, which would meet the needs of clinical application after polishing. Further defect analysis revealed the internal defect inside the plate, which should be avoided to improve the mechanical strength of the printed sample in the future. Conclusion: The 3DP titanium craniomaxillofacial bone plate has good mechanical performance and surface morphology, meeting the requirements of clinical application. However, poorer fatigue resistance and a high number of internal defects should be modified in the future.

Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Stability of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptides-Calcium Chelate Derived from Tuna Bones.

This study was conducted to prepare calcium chelate of low-molecular-weight tuna bone collagen peptides (TBCPLMW) with a high chelation rate and to identify its structural characteristics and stability. The optimum conditions for calcium chelation of TBCPLMW (TBCPLMW-Ca) were determined through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology, and the calcium-chelating capacity reached over 90% under the optimal conditions. The amino acid compositions implied that Asp and Glu played important roles in the formation of TBCPLMW-Ca. Structural characterizations determined via spectroscopic analyses revealed that functional groups such as -COO-, N-H, C=O, and C-O were involved in forming TBCPLMW-Ca. The particle size distributions and scanning electron microscopy results revealed that folding and aggregation of peptides were found in the chelate. Stability studies showed that TBCPLMW-Ca was relatively stable under thermal processing and more pronounced changes have been observed in simulated gastric digestion, presumably the acidic environment was the main factor causing the dissociation of the TBCPLMW-Ca. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the preparation of a novel calcium supplement and is beneficial for comprehensive utilization of tuna bones.

Characterization of new natural cellulosic fiber from Calamus tenuis (Jati Bet) cane as a potential reinforcement for polymer composites.

This study investigates the physical, structural, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the fibers of Calamus tenuis canes and compares the findings with various lignocellulosic fibers to find the place of these fibers as reinforcements for polymer composites. Chemical analysis confirms the presence of 37.43 ± 1.40% cellulose, 31.06 ± 1.03% hemicellulose, and 28.42 ± 0.81% lignin in Calamus tenuis cane fibers, moreover, the presence of these constituents is also confirmed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determines the crystallinity index of 37.38 ± 0.27% and the crystallite size of 0.87 ± 0.03 nm of the samples. The thermogravimetric analysis ensures that the Calamus tenuis cane fibers are thermally stable up to 210 ± 5 °C. The Weibull distribution analysis is employed to estimate the tensile properties of Calamus tenuis canes, which reveal a tensile strength of 37.5 ± 2 MPa, Young's modulus of 1.05 ± 0.08 GPa, and an elongation at break of 18.94 ± 4.26%. The roughness of the fibers' outer surface is confirmed by SEM micrographs and AFM analysis, suggesting that it could enhance the adhesion between fibers and matrix during the fabrication of composites.

Combined DFT-D3 Computational and Experimental Studies on g-C3N4: New Insight into Structure, Optical, and Vibrational Properties.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has emerged as one of the most promising solar-light-activated polymeric metal-free semiconductor photocatalysts due to its thermal physicochemical stability but also its characteristics of environmentally friendly and sustainable material. Despite the challenging properties of g-C3N4, its photocatalytic performance is still limited by the low surface area, together with the fast charge recombination phenomena. Hence, many efforts have been focused on overcoming these drawbacks by controlling and improving the synthesis methods. With regard to this, many structures including strands of linearly condensed melamine monomers, which are interconnected by hydrogen bonds, or highly condensed systems, have been proposed. Nevertheless, complete and consistent knowledge of the pristine material has not yet been achieved. Thus, to shed light on the nature of polymerised carbon nitride structures, which are obtained from the well-known direct heating of melamine under mild conditions, we combined the results obtained from XRD analysis, SEM and AFM microscopies, and UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopies with the data from the Density Functional Theory method (DFT). An indirect band gap and the vibrational peaks have been calculated without uncertainty, thus highlighting a mixture of highly condensed g-C3N4 domains embedded in a less condensed "melon-like" framework.

TiO2 nanotube-based nanotechnology applied to high-viscosity conventional glass-ionomer cement: ultrastructural analyses and physicochemical characterization.

This study characterized TiO2 nanotube (TiO2-nt) ultrastructure and morphology, and the physicochemical impact on high-viscosity conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC). TiO2-nt was synthesized by the alkaline method (n = 3), assessed by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and was added (3%, 5%, 7%-in weight) to KM (Ketac Molar EasyMix™). Analyses included: SEM; Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); Raman spectroscopy (RAMAN); Setting time with Gillmore needles (ST); Color (Co); Radiopacity (XR); Water sorption (WS); and solubility (SO). Quantitative data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's tests (chr = 0.05). External and internal TiO2-nt diameters were 11 ± 2 nm and 6 ± 0 nm, respectively. Data analyses showed: (i) TiO2-nt present into KM matrix, with a concentration-dependent increase of Ti levels into KM, (ii) physical interaction between KM and TiO2-nt, (iii) longer initial ST for the 7% group compared to KM and 3% groups (p ≤ 0.01), (iv) decreased luminosity and yellowness for the 5% and 7% groups, (v) 36% greater radiopacity for the 5% group compared to enamel, dentin, and KM, and (vi) lower SO values for the 5% group, with no significant differences on WS across the groups. TiO2-nt displayed physical interaction with KM matrix, and also modified SO, XR and Co, without affecting ST. This study provides information on the potential impact of TiO2-nt on GIC performance. TiO2-nt may be proposed to boost confidence among dental surgeons in terms of GIC's handling characteristics, success rate and differential diagnostic.

Evaluation of the Properties of 3D-Printed Ti Alloy Plates: In Vivo and In Vitro Comparative Experimental Study.

Titanium (Ti)-based implants play a significant role in rigid internal fixation in maxillofacial surgery. No study has reported that three-dimensional-printed Ti alloy plates (3D-Ti plates) have comprehensively excellent properties similar to standard plates (Matrix-MANDIBLE, SYNTHES, Switzerland) (Synthes-Ti plates). In this work, we manufactured 3D-Ti plates by selective laser melting with Ti6Al4V powder. The surface morphology, mechanical properties, and bone-plate contact rate of the 3D-Ti plates and the Synthes-Ti plates were characterized and compared via electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Vickers hardness test, three-point bending test, and software calculation. Human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSCs) were cultured on the plates to test their biocompatibility. Importantly, the 3D-Ti plates were placed into a mandibular fracture model to assess the effect of medical application for 4 and 24 weeks. The 3D-Ti plates were demonstrated to have similar biocompatibility and stability for rigid internal fixation with the Synthes-Ti plates, lower roughness (106.44 ± 78.35 nm), better mechanical strength (370.78 ± 1.25 HV10), and a higher bone-plate contact rate (96.9%). These promising results indicate the feasibility of using 3D-Ti plates for irregular shapes and complex anatomical structures in a clinical context.

Development and Characterization of Phosphate Glass Fibers and Their Application in the Reinforcement of Polyester Matrix Composites.

This study focused on the production and characterization of phosphate glass fibers (PGF) for application as composite reinforcement. Phosphate glasses belonging to the system 52P2O524CaO13MgO (11-(X + Y)) K2OXFe2O3YTiO2 (X:1, 3, 5) and (Y:0.5, 1) were elaborated and converted to phosphate glass fibers. First, their mechanical properties and chemical durability were investigated. Then, the optimized PGF compositions were used afterward as reinforcement for thermosetting composite materials. Polyester matrices reinforced with short phosphate glass fibers (sPGF) up to 20 wt % were manufactured by the contact molding process. The mechanical and morphological properties of different sPGF-reinforced polyester systems were evaluated. The choice between the different phosphate-based glass syntheses (PGFs) was determined by their superior mechanical performance, their interesting chemical durability, and their high level of dispersion in the polyester matrix without any ad sizing as proven by SEM morphological analysis. Moreover, the characterization of mechanical properties revealed that the tensile and flexural moduli of the developed polyester-based composites were improved by increasing the sPGF content in the polymer matrix in perfect agreement with Takayanagi model predictions. The present work thus highlights some promising results to obtain high-quality phosphate glass fiber-reinforced polyester parts which can be transposed to other thermosetting or thermoplastic-based composites for high-value applications.

Effect of High-Pressure Processing on the Packaging Properties of Biopolymer-Based Films: A Review.

Suitable packaging material in combination with high-pressure processing (HPP) can retain nutritional and organoleptic qualities besides extending the product's shelf life of food products. However, the selection of appropriate packaging materials suitable for HPP is tremendously important because harsh environments like high pressure and high temperature during the processing can result in deviation in the visual and functional properties of the packaging materials. Traditionally, fossil-based plastic packaging is preferred for the HPP of food products, but these materials are of serious concern to the environment. Therefore, bio-based packaging systems are proposed to be a promising alternative to fossil-based plastic packaging. Some studies have scrutinized the impact of HPP on the functional properties of biopolymer-based packaging materials. This review summarizes the HPP application on biopolymer-based film-forming solutions and pre-formed biopolymer-based films. The impact of HPP on the key packaging properties such as structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties in addition to the migration of additives from the packaging material into food products were systemically analyzed. HPP can be applied either to the film-forming solution or preformed packages. Structural, mechanical, hydrophobic, barrier, and thermal characteristics of the films are enhanced when the film-forming solution is exposed to HPP overcoming the shortcomings of the native biopolymers-based film. Also, biopolymer-based packaging mostly PLA based when exposed to HPP at low temperature showed no significant deviation in packaging properties indicating the suitability of their applications. HPP may induce the migration of packaging additives and thus should be thoroughly studied. Overall, HPP can be one way to enhance the properties of biopolymer-based films and can also be used for packaging food materials intended for HPP.