The influence of plasma spraying regime and initial substance injection location on the structure of deposited coatings

Atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma spray technology has been developed, tested and successfully employed for deposition of catalytic and tribological coatings. Aluminum hydroxide based coatings doped with carbon particles up to 50 μm of thickness were deposited on the stainless steel substrates.Results of experimental investigation on structural characteristics of plasma sprayed coatings in dependence of prevailing external factors are presented. The effect of plasma source operating regime and injection location of precursor dispersed particles (DP) on the morphology and properties of metal oxide coatings was investigated. It has been determined the relation between microstructure of coatings and arc current in plasma source.Significant differences in size and shape of coating grains were observed during deposition process when metal oxide dispersed particles were placed into the reactor channel and directly into the plasma torch discharge chamber together with the reacting gas. The plasma spray pyrolysis process has occurred in some particular regimes which have been successfully applied in the synthesis of micron- and submicron-sized uniform shaped coatings with narrow size pores and controlled surface morphologies.     

BMP3 Affects Cortical and Trabecular Long Bone Development in Mice

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have a major role in tissue development. BMP3 is synthesized in osteocytes and mature osteoblasts and has an antagonistic effect on other BMPs in bone tissue. The main aim of this study was to fully characterize cortical bone and trabecular bone of long bones in both male and female Bmp3^−/− mice. To investigate the effect of Bmp3 from birth to maturity, we compared Bmp3^−/− mice with wild-type littermates at the following stages of postnatal development: 1 day (P0), 2 weeks (P14), 8 weeks and 16 weeks of age. Bmp3 deletion was confirmed using X-gal staining in P0 animals. Cartilage and bone tissue were examined in P14 animals using Alcian Blue/Alizarin Red staining. Detailed long bone analysis was performed in 8-week-old and 16-week-old animals using micro-CT. The Bmp3 reporter signal was localized in bone tissue, hair follicles, and lungs. Bone mineralization at 2 weeks of age was increased in long bones of Bmp3^−/− mice. Bmp3 deletion was shown to affect the skeleton until adulthood, where increased cortical and trabecular bone parameters were found in young and adult mice of both sexes, while delayed mineralization of the epiphyseal growth plate was found in adult Bmp3^−/− mice.     

Characterisation of hydrogels and aerogels as carriers for sea buckthorn pomace extract

In this study, aerogels were prepared from kognac glucomannan (KG) or whey proteins loaded with bioactive sea buckthorn pomace extract. KG was diacetylated with Na₂CO₃ (0.1; 0.2; 0.3; 0.4 m ) resulting hydrogel formation that were further freeze-dried to obtain an aerogel structure. Whey protein aerogels were prepared by removing pore fluid from alcogels using supercritical CO₂ drying. Produced aerogels evaluated for microstructure, porosity, specific surface area, absorption capacity, encapsulation efficiency and antioxidant capacity of the extract. It was found that higher concentration of alkali induced higher hardness, resilience and elastic modulus values. It was also obtained that pores in the konjac glucomannan aerogels were irregular in shape and a decrease in total pore volume (0.026 to 0.019 cc/g) and surface area (12.39 to 11.40 m²/g) after increasing the carbonate concentration was observed. These aerogels were found to have better encapsulation efficiency properties for sea buckthorn pomace extract (17 to 20%) in comparison to whey protein aerogels (0.05 to 0.36%). Overall, the KG aerogels show potential for applications in the food industry as a carrier of bioactive sea buckthorn pomace extract, while whey proteins must be used in combination with other biopolymers to enhance their bioactive compound loading capacity.     

Development of bigel based dysphagia-oriented products,structured with collagen and carnauba wax: characterisation and rheological behaviour

The aim of the study was to design composition of the bigels with required rheological properties that responds the needs of the dysphagia patients. Bigels were prepared with carnauba wax and different collagen concentrations in the hydrogel phase (40, 60%) as well as by changing oleogel to hydrogel ratio from 40:60 to 60:40. The stability, physical and rheological properties of obtained bigels were evaluated after their preparation and after 14 days storage. All obtained bigels were stable without phase separation and had a pleasant taste and good mouth-feel, exept bigels with the higher oleogel fraction. Viscosity values at 50 s⁻¹ divided formulated bigels into two groups: honey-like and spoon thick. An increase of oleogel fraction caused an increase in the consistency index and elastic modulus. Higher firmness and cohesiveness values were obtained in the samples with the higher collagen concentration. It was also obtained that all rheological parameters increased after 14 days of storage. The present work develops a novel bigel-based product with strong shear-thinning behaviour and high protein concentration (16–36%). It is believed that such product could not only ensure the safe swallowing process but also reduce the risk of malnutrition development.