Recent Advances of PDMS In Vitro Biomodels for Flow Visualizations and Measurements: From Macro to Nanoscale Applications.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has become a popular material in microfluidic and macroscale in vitro models due to its elastomeric properties and versatility. PDMS-based biomodels are widely used in blood flow studies, offering a platform for improving flow models and validating numerical simulations. This review highlights recent advances in bioflow studies conducted using both PDMS microfluidic devices and macroscale biomodels, particularly in replicating physiological environments.

Evaluation of Biotechnological Active Peptides Secreted by with Potential Skin Benefits.

Biotechnological active peptides are gaining interest in the cosmetics industry due to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-collagenase (ACE) effects, as well as wound healing properties, making them suitable for cosmetic formulations. The antimicrobial activity of peptides (2-10 kDa) secreted by Ethanol-Red was evaluated against dermal pathogens using broth microdilution and challenge tests. ACE was assessed using a collagenase activity colorimetric assay, antioxidant activity via spectrophotometric monitoring of nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects by quantifying TNF-α mRNA in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-exposed dermal fibroblasts.

Investigation of biochars derived from waste lignocellulosic biomass and insulation electric cables: A comprehensive TGA and Macro-TGA analysis.

This study investigates the thermochemical decomposition and gasification performance of biochars produced from blends of waste lignocellulosic biomass and waste insulation electrical cables at varying temperatures. Characterization tests revealed changes, particularly in ash content (27.5 %-34 %) and elemental composition, with nitrogen content increasing notably in biochar samples compared to the original feedstock.

Exploring the Potential of Anthocyanin-Based Edible Coatings in Confectionery-Temperature Stability, pH, and Biocapacity.

This study aims to develop purple-coloured polymeric coatings using natural anthocyanin and desoxyanthocianidins (3-DXA) colourants for application to chocolate almonds. The objective is to achieve a stable and uniform colour formulation throughout processing and storage, enhancing the appearance and durability of the almonds to appeal to health-conscious consumers and align with market demands. Plant materials like sweet potato pulp, sweet potato peel, radish peel, black carrot, and sorghum were employed to obtain the desired purple hue.

An Overview of the Recent Advances in Pool Boiling Enhancement Materials, Structrure, and Devices.

This review attempts to provide a comprehensive assessment of recent methodologies, structures, and devices for pool boiling heat transfer enhancement. Several enhancement approaches relating to the underlying fluid route and the capability to eliminate incipient boiling hysteresis, augment the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient, and improve the critical heat flux are assessed. Hence, this study addresses the most relevant issues related to active and passive enhancement techniques and compound enhancement schemes.

Quality, Safety and Biological Studies on Aerial Parts.

In Cabo Verde, several endemic species are used in traditional medicine. However, no scientific studies have been conducted on the quality, efficacy, and safety of most of these plants. This study focused on establishing the botanical and chemical identification parameters required for a quality monograph of Benth.

Numerical Model Validation of the Blood Flow through a Microchannel Hyperbolic Contraction.

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of blood flow through hyperbolic contraction with a discrete phase model (DPM) was experimentally validated. For this purpose, the positions and velocities of red blood cells (RBCs) flowing in a microchannel with hyperbolic contraction were experimentally assessed using image analysis techniques, and were subsequently compared with the numerical results. The numerically and experimentally obtained velocity fields were in good agreement, with errors smaller than 10%.

Performance of Eco-Friendly Cement Mortars Incorporating Ceramic Molds Shells and Paraffin Wax.

The lost wax foundry industry has been rapidly expanding in recent years, generating a large amount of waste due to the fact that most of the durable goods include castings and the need for dimensional precision castings for specific purposes, such as the automotive and aeronautics sectors. The waste produced by this industry is currently being deposited in landfills because practical applications are not known and cannot be reused in a new production process, and recycling is also a challenge because of the economics of the process. Thus, the main objective of this study consists in the incorporation of the produced wastes by the lost wax casting foundry industry (ceramic molds shells and paraffin wax) as substitutes for natural aggregate in exterior coatings mortars, evaluating their behavior under normal operating conditions and against freeze-thaw actions.

LDPE and PLA Active Food Packaging Incorporated with Lemon by-Products Extract: Preparation, Characterization and Effectiveness to Delay Lipid Oxidation in Almonds and Beef Meat.

Low-density polyethylene-based packaging with 4% lemon extract (LDPE/4LE) and two polylactic-based (PLA) packaging materials with 4% and 6% lemon extract (PLA/PEG/4LE and PLA/6LE) were produced. O and water permeability tests were performed, the total and individual phenolic compounds content were measured, and the films' antioxidant activities were determined. The films' ability to delay lipid oxidation was tested in two model foods: almonds, packaged with LDPE/4LE, PLA/4LE and PLA/6LE for a maximum period of 60 days at 40 °C (accelerated assay); and beef meat, packaged with the PLA/6LE for a maximum period of 11 days at 4 °C.

Bioguided Identification of Active Antimicrobial Compounds from and Root Tubers.

Root tubers of subsp. (AbR), a vulnerable endemic species, and subsp. (AmR) have traditionally been used in Portugal to treat inflammatory and infectious skin disorders.

Techno-economic study for a gasification plant processing residues of sewage sludge and solid recovered fuels.

The energetic valorisation of wastes through gasification is a promising solution with a better environmental impact in terms of pollutant emissions compared with incineration, landfilling, and heat and power generation from fossil fuels. However, techno-economic studies are imperative to define the viability of these technologies and to optimise heat and power consumptions and costs. This work intended to develop a techno-economic analysis for a small-scale gasification plant processing mixtures of solid recovered fuels and sewage sludge, assuming a capacity of 883 kg/h and two different sale scenarios: (A) production of electric energy, and (B) production of hydrogen.

Manual and Automatic Image Analysis Segmentation Methods for Blood Flow Studies in Microchannels.

In blood flow studies, image analysis plays an extremely important role to examine raw data obtained by high-speed video microscopy systems. This work shows different ways to process the images which contain various blood phenomena happening in microfluidic devices and in microcirculation. For this purpose, the current methods used for tracking red blood cells (RBCs) flowing through a glass capillary and techniques to measure the cell-free layer thickness in different kinds of microchannels will be presented.

Aquaculture wastewater treatment through microalgal. Biomass potential applications on animal feed, agriculture, and energy.

The use of microalgae to remediate raw effluent from brown crab aquaculture was evaluated by performing batch mode growth tests using separately the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), Scenedesmus obliquus (Sc), Isochrysis galbana (Ig), Nannocloropsis salina (Ns), and Spirulina major (Sp). Removal efficiencies in batch growth were 100% for total nitrogen and total phosphorus for all microalgae. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) remediations were all above 72%.

Characterization of hydrochar and process water from the hydrothermal carbonization of Refuse Derived Fuel.

In this study, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) was used as a thermochemical conversion process to upgrade Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). The effect of process temperature (250 °C, 275 °C and 300 °C), residence time (30 min and 120 min), and RDF-to-water ratio (1:15 and 1:5) on the main characteristics of the produced hydrochars and process waters was assessed. The HTC process yielded hydrochars with enhanced fuel properties when compared to the original feedstock, namely higher carbon content and heating value.

Organ-on-a-Chip: A Preclinical Microfluidic Platform for the Progress of Nanomedicine.

Despite the progress achieved in nanomedicine during the last decade, the translation of new nanotechnology-based therapeutic systems into clinical applications has been slow, especially due to the lack of robust preclinical tissue culture platforms able to mimic the in vivo conditions found in the human body and to predict the performance and biotoxicity of the developed nanomaterials. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms are novel microfluidic tools that mimic complex human organ functions at the microscale level. These integrated microfluidic networks, with 3D tissue engineered models, have been shown high potential to reduce the discrepancies between the results derived from preclinical and clinical trials.

3D Printed Biomodels for Flow Visualization in Stenotic Vessels: An Experimental and Numerical Study.

Atherosclerosis is one of the most serious and common forms of cardiovascular disease and a major cause of death and disability worldwide. It is a multifactorial and complex disease that promoted several hemodynamic studies. Although in vivo studies more accurately represent the physiological conditions, in vitro experiments more reliably control several physiological variables and most adequately validate numerical flow studies.

Torrefaction and carbonization of refuse derived fuel: Char characterization and evaluation of gaseous and liquid emissions.

Refuse derived fuel containing non-hazardous industrial wastes was subjected to torrefaction and carbonization in an industrial furnace. The RDF samples were heated at 300 °C and 400 °C, for 30 min, yielding solid products (chars) as well as gases and liquids. Proximate and ultimate composition, mineral composition, chlorine content and high heating value were determined for the original sample and the produced chars.

Impact of torrefaction and low-temperature carbonization on the properties of biomass wastes from Arundo donax L. and Phoenix canariensis.

The impact of torrefaction and low-temperature carbonization on the properties of biomass wastes from Arundo donax L. and Phoenix canariensis was studied. Thermal treatments were performed at temperatures from 200°C to 350°C during 15 to 90min and temperature was the parameter that more influenced mass and energy yields as well as biochar composition.