Sensory Characterization and Consumer Preference Mapping of Fresh Sausages Manufactured with Goat and Sheep Meat

The main objective of this study was the sensory characterization, by a taste and a consumers’ panel, of fresh sausages from 140 culled goats and 140 culled ewes. Species and type of preparation effects were studied. All data were previously analyzed by analysis of variance. Taste panel data were analyzed by a Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA). Consumers’ panel data were analyzed by Preference Mapping. The 1st 2 factors explained 88.22% of total variation in GPA. Different sausages samples were perfectly differentiated by assessors. Goat sausages have been considered harder, more fibrous, and less juicy than sheep sausages. The panelists observed that sheep sausages without paprika had greater intensity of flavor, tasted spicy, and had an off‐odor, while goat sausages with paprika were considered sweeter. Consumers’ panel did not show any preference for the different types of sausages. This means that all types of sausages can have market opportunity.     

Continuous-discontinuous formulation for ductile fracture

In this contribution, a continuum-discontinuum model for ductile failure is presented. The degradation of material properties through deformation is described by a Continuum Damage Mechanics model, which uses a non-local integral formulation to avoid mesh dependence. In the final stage of failure, the damaged zone is replaced by a macro crack for a more realistic representation of the phenomenon. The inclusion of the discontinuity surfaces is performed by the XFEM and Level Set Method to avoid the spurious damage growth typical of this class of models.     

Activated carbon for hydrogen purification by pressure swing adsorption: Multicomponent breakthrough curves and PSA performance

In this work, multicomponent breakthrough experiments (binary H₂-CO₂, ternary H₂-CO₂-CO and five-component H₂-CO₂-CO-CH₄-N₂) were performed under different operating conditions in activated carbon extrudates to validate the mathematical model. A 10 steps one-column VPSA experiment was also performed. These experiments allow experimental validation of adsorption equilibrium predicted by the multicomponent extension of the Virial isotherm and a fixed-bed mathematical model. In the VPSA experiment, a 99.981% hydrogen purity stream (with 63 ppm of CO contamination) was obtained with a hydrogen recovery of 81.6% and an adsorbent productivity of .The mathematical model was also employed to assess the effect of operating conditions and the influence of step times and pressure equalizations in the PSA unit. It was verified that high-purity hydrogen (>99.99%) can be obtained using this adsorbent with recoveries higher than 75% and unit productivities of .     

Uncertainties in the SPRT Subranges of ITS-90: Topics for Further Research

The CCT has completed the guide summarizing the uncertainties in the realization of the SPRT subranges of ITS-90 between the triple point of neon (24.5561 K) and the freezing point of silver (961.78 °C). This article identifies aspects of standard platinum resistance thermometry where either data or models are lacking and further research is required. In the calibration of SPRTs, the two main concerns are the need for data on liquidus slopes for the different impurities in the fixed points and improved understanding of the impact of the thermal environment of the fixed point on the realized temperature. In the use of SPRTs, the two largest sources of uncertainty are Types 1 and 3 non-uniqueness and oxidation. The causes of Type 3 non-uniqueness are not yet understood, especially at low temperatures, and there is a paucity of data for the high-temperature subranges. In respect of oxidation, there is a need for validation of the models developed in the 1980s, especially in light of the reduced partial pressure of oxygen used in modern SPRTs. A range of other effects including vacancy effects in SPRTs, isotopic effects in fixed points, and improved statistical methods are discussed.     

Immunomodulatory Properties of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles and Their Therapeutic Potential for Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has long been seen as a rich source of naïve cells with strong regenerative potential, likely mediated by paracrine signals. More recently, small extracellular vesicles (sEV), such as exosomes, have been shown to play essential roles in cell-to-cell communication, via the transport of numerous molecules, including small RNAs. Often explored for their potential as biomarkers, sEV are now known to have regenerative and immunomodulating characteristics, particularly if isolated from stem cell-rich tissues. In this study, we aim to characterize the immunomodulating properties of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell-derived sEV (UCB-MNC-sEV) and explore their therapeutic potential for inflammatory skin diseases. UCB-MNC-sEV were shown to shift macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype, which in turn exert paracrine effects on fibroblasts, despite previous inflammatory stimuli. Additionally, the incubation of PBMC with UCB-MNC-sEV resulted in a reduction of total CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell proliferation and cytokine release, while specifically supporting the development of regulatory T-cells (Treg), by influencing FOXP3 expression. In a 3D model of psoriatic skin, UCB-MNC-sEV reduced the expression of inflammatory and psoriatic markers IL6, IL8, CXCL10, COX2, S100A7, and DEFB4. In vivo, UCB-MNC-sEV significantly prevented or reversed acanthosis in imiquimod-induced psoriasis, and tendentially increased the number of Treg in skin, without having an overall impact on disease burden. This work provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic effect of UCB-MNC-sEV, which may be harnessed for the treatment of Th17-driven inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis.     

The Endolysosomal System: The Acid Test for SARS-CoV-2

This review aims to describe and discuss the different functions of the endolysosomal system, from homeostasis to its vital role during viral infections. We will initially describe endolysosomal system’s main functions, presenting recent data on how its compartments are essential for host defense to explore later how SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) and other coronaviruses subvert these organelles for their benefit. It is clear that to succeed, pathogens’ evolution favored the establishment of ways to avoid, escape, or manipulate lysosomal function. The unavoidable coexistence with such an unfriendly milieu imposed on viruses the establishment of a vast array of strategies to make the most out of the invaded cell’s machinery to produce new viruses and maneuvers to escape the host’s defense system.     

Bacterially Produced,Nacre‐Inspired Composite Materials

The impressive mechanical properties of natural composites, such as nacre, arise from their multiscale hierarchical structures, which span from nano‐ to macroscale and lead to effective energy dissipation. While some synthetic bioinspired materials have achieved the toughness of natural nacre, current production methods are complex and typically involve toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, and/or high pressures. Here, the exclusive use of bacteria to produce nacre‐inspired layered calcium carbonate‐polyglutamate composite materials that reach and exceed the toughness of natural nacre, while additionally exhibiting high extensibility and maintaining high stiffness, is introduced. The extensive diversity of bacterial metabolic abilities and the possibility of genetic engineering allows for the creation of a library of bacterially produced, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly composite materials.     

Molecular Imaging of Apoptosis: The Case of Caspase-3 Radiotracers

The molecular imaging of apoptosis remains an important method for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of certain diseases and the evaluation of the efficacy of anticancer apoptosis-inducing therapies. Among the multiple biomarkers involved in apoptosis, activated caspase-3 is an attractive target, as it is the most abundant of the executioner caspases. Nuclear imaging is a good candidate, as it combines a high depth of tissue penetration and high sensitivity, features necessary to detect small changes in levels of apoptosis. However, designing a caspase-3 radiotracer comes with challenges, such as selectivity, cell permeability and transient caspase-3 activation. In this review, we discuss the different caspase-3 radiotracers for the imaging of apoptosis together with the challenges of the translation of various apoptosis-imaging strategies in clinical trials.