GU Qi-chun1, HE Wen-hui1, WANG Xiang1, ZHUANG Bing-jian2, ZHANG Jie2
EP 200 fabric core conveyor belt as the research object, firstly the sample data of stress and strain were obtained through tensile strength test, secondly the data distribution was preliminary tested using QQ chart, and then the kernel density fitting probability distribution was used to verify the K-S fitting degree and correctness of the data, and finally the process capacity index of the fabric core conveyor belt was calculated. The results showed that the tensile strength distribution of the fabric core conveyor belt roughly followed a normal distribution, the kernel density estimation method could effectively solve the problem of insufficient sample data and had certain advantages in engineering, and the process capacity index could not match the yield rate of the product. Further analysis of the factors affecting the stability of full- thickness tensile strength would be beneficial for optimizing the production of conveyor belts.
Carrot (<i>Daucus carota</i> L.) is a widely consumed root vegetable, yet its aerial parts, including leaves and stems, are typically discarded as agricultural by-products, despite their potential biological value. This study comparatively evaluated the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of carrot aerial and root parts extracted using hot water or 50% ethanol. Four extracts were prepared: aerial part hot-water (AP-W), aerial part ethanol (AP-E), underground part hot-water (UP-W), and underground part ethanol (UP-E). The total phenolic content (TPC, expressed as gallic acid equivalents; GAE) and total flavonoid content (TFC, expressed as quercetin equivalents; QE) were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum nitrate colorimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant capacities were determined by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, cytotoxicity was assessed in RAW 264.7 macrophages via the MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using the Griess reaction, and cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α) concentrations were analyzed by ELISA. Among the extracts, AP-E exhibited the highest TPC (28.3 ± 0.3 µg GAE/mg extract) and TFC (18.2 ± 2.3 µg QE/mg extract), corresponding to the strongest ABTS (92.3 ± 2.5%) and DPPH (72.4 ± 7.3%) radical scavenging activities. None of the extracts demonstrated cytotoxicity below 400 µg/mL. Under basal conditions, AP-W and UP-W significantly enhanced NO production (9.5 ± 1.3 µM and 7.7 ± 1.2 µM, respectively), while co-treatment with LPS markedly reduced NO levels in AS-E (2.3 ± 0.2 µM). Consistently, AP-W and UP-W elevated cytokine secretion (IL-6: 3462.1 ± 349.7 pg/mL and 1749.4 ± 55.4 pg/mL; TNF-α: 15,245.2 ± 771.0 pg/mL and 14,719.1 ± 329.8 pg/mL), whereas AP-E (400 µg/mL) significantly suppressed IL-6 (3938.6 ± 268.7 pg/mL) and TNF-α (11,869.0 ± 721.1 pg/mL) under LPS-stimulated conditions. Collectively, these results indicate that hot-water extracts of carrot parts exert immunostimulatory activity, whereas ethanol extracts possess potent anti-inflammatory potential. The aerial parts of carrots, often regarded as waste biomass, exhibit comparable or superior bioactivities to the roots, underscoring their potential utility as promising functional food ingredients.
Muhabaiti Pareti, Junsong Guo, Nadire Abudurofu
et al.
In recent years, meat substitutes have become a prominent global topic in academic research. As one of the world’s most populous countries, China may increasingly consider meat substitutes as a new dietary option to meet the growing consumer demand. The potential acceptance of meat substitutes by consumers is a critical foundation for the industry’s development, as it directly influences it’s success. Moreover, consumer trust in meat substitutes plays a pivotal role in shaping this potential acceptance. Consequently, this study aims to analyze the impact of consumer trust on potential acceptance. Additionally, it incorporates the mediating roles of perceived benefits and perceived risks, as well as the moderating effect of consumer knowledge. A questionnaire survey was administered to 2647 Chinese consumers and a moderated dual-mediation model, based on the Bootstrap method, was employed to investigate the effects of consumer trust on the potential acceptance of meat substitutes. The study subsequently validated the mediating roles of perceived benefits and perceived risks, along with the moderating role of consumer knowledge. The findings indicate that consumer trust positively influences the potential acceptance of meat substitutes. Furthermore, consumer trust enhances perceived benefits while simultaneously reducing perceived risks. It affects consumer acceptance both directly and indirectly, through the mediating variables of perceived benefits and perceived risks. Consumer knowledge moderates the relationships between consumer trust, perceived benefits, and perceived risks, but does not significantly moderate the relationship between consumer trust and consumer acceptance.
Mohamed Afifi, Mohamed Afifi, Muhammad Uba Abdulazeez
et al.
Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of injuries, disabilities, and fatalities for children and young adults. Extremity joint injuries have been identified as one of the contributing factors to chronic disabilities among children in road crashes. However, our knowledge on the biomechanics of the pediatric upper and lower extremity joints remains limited. Understanding the biomechanics of the upper and lower extremity joints is essential to provide important information for developing enhanced protection against extremity joint injuries for children involved in road crashes. The protocol developed in this study will be used for assessing the following biomechanical properties of the pediatric upper and lower extremity joints: 1) active and passive ranges of motion (AROM and PROM), 2) muscle strength, and 3) joint stiffness. The joints included in the protocol are shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle. Joint-specific settings and testing procedures are provided for assessing the range of motion (ROM) using goniometry and the muscle strength as well as joint stiffness using isokinetic dynamometry. A sample of 200 healthy children will be recruited from selected schools in Al Ain city, United Arab Emirates for the assessment. Descriptive statistical analyses will be conducted to characterize the biomechanical properties with regards to age, gender, and ethnicity. To determine the influence of anthropometric and demographic factors on ROM, strength, and stiffness, a series of multiple regression analyses will be performed to identify the factors that best predict ROM, strength, and stiffness.
Claudia Antonino, Graziana Difonzo, Giuseppe Natrella
et al.
The dairy sector is constantly innovating in response to the critical issues connected to sustainability and healthiness and to the increasing consumer demand for products with nutritional benefits. This study aimed to develop an innovative fermented dessert made from donkey milk (FDMD) added with oat flour (OF) and wheat germ oil (WGO). Different concentrations of OF and WGO (8, 10, and 12, and 3, 5, and 7 % w/w) were tested to optimize texture and, for this purpose, D-optimal mixture design was used. The best structural formulation obtained (11.5% w/w of OF and 3.5% w/w of WGO) was fortified with two further ingredients including dark chocolate 3% w/w, and pomegranate extract rich in ellagic acid (0.5 w/w, FDMD-A, and 1% w/w, FDMD-B) for improving flavor and nutritional properties. The quality and safety characteristics of the product during 30 days of storage were evaluated. The application of the Design of Experiment (DoE) proved successful in achieving the desired structural characteristics using 11.5% w/w OF and 3.5% w/w WGO. The addition of pomegranate extract did not negatively influence the textural and rheological characteristics of the samples, instead acting positively on the stability of the product during storage. Moreover, it had an impact on total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, showing better results at 1% level of fortification (FDMD-B). The shelf-life study demonstrated that both formulations were microbiologically safe and stable and were appreciated by the panel involved in the sensory analysis. Finally, poor proteolysis took place during the 30-day storage period, indicating that the two samples did not significantly change over the 30 days of storage.