This study explores the functional characteristics (erosion, corrosion, mechanical damage, and microstructural features) of non-stick cookware made from aluminum alloys. Typically coated with ...polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE-Teflon) or ceramic for non-stick properties, we conducted a systematic investigation using corrosion, abrasion, and mechanical tests on six types of cookware from different manufacturers (Manuf-1-6). The cookware was heated at various temperatures Room temperature (RT), 100, 175, 250, & 350 °C and times (45 & 120 min). Tests included Taber wear, Adhesive Pull-off, hot & RT corrosion, and surface roughness measurements. Characterization involved optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) with electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Ceramic-coated cookware from Manuf-4 demonstrated superior mechanical strength, wear, and corrosion resistance due to refined microstructures. Manuf-1's PTFE-coated cookware also performed well. Optimal results were observed when heating below 250 °C for up to 45 min. Prolonged heating and temperatures beyond 250 °C adversely affected internal structures of all cookware. Thus, it is advisable to use Al-based non-stick cookware below 250 °C for a maximum of 45 min.
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•Non-stick cookware performances under varying conditions.•Microstructural analysis revealed the presence of α-Al and FeAl3 precipitates with additional phases.•Severe wear occurred in all cookware beyond 250 °C.•Adhesive pull-off tests influenced the C-F atom loss in PTFE and silane loss in ceramic coatings.•Hot corrosion tests at 175 °C revealed increased weight loss due to oxide layers and spalling.
In this research work, the nanostructured Fe-Mn (BM0), Fe-Mn-Cu (BM1), Fe-Mn-W (BM2), and Fe-Mn-Co (BM3) biodegradable alloys were successfully synthesized using mechanical alloying. The ...microstructure of the synthesized alloys was examined using XRD, SEM equipped with EDS, and HRTEM techniques. The results obtained based on these techniques confirmed the development of nanostructured BM0, BM1, BM2, and BM3 alloys and homogenous solid solutions with an even elemental dispersion. The compressibility of the synthesized alloys was investigated experimentally and empirically in the as-milled conditions and after applying a stress relief treatment (150 °C for 1 h). The load applied for compaction experiments ranged from 25–1100 MPa with a rate of 1 mm/min. According to the experimentation performed in the current study, the relative density of the as-milled BM0, BM1, BM2, and BM3 alloys was 72.90% and 71.64%, 72.32%, and 72.03%, respectively. After applying the stress relief treatment, the density was observed to increase to 75.23%, 77.10%, 72.65%, and 72.86% for BM0-S, BM1-S, BM2-S and BM3-S samples, respectively. A number of compaction models were tested to identify the optimum models for predicting the compressibility behavior of nanostructured Fe-Mn, Fe-Mn-Cu, Fe-Mn-W, and Fe-Mn-Co alloys in the as-milled and stress-relieved conditions.
BACKGROUNDSTW 5-II is a combination of six herbal extracts with clinically proven efficacy in functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). STW 5-II contains a wide variety of ...secondary plant constituents that may interact with the human gut microbiome. In addition to complex carbohydrates, secondary plant metabolites, such as polyphenols, are known to exert prebiotic-like effects. PURPOSEThis study aimed to assess the bidirectional interactions between STW 5-II and the human gut microbiome. METHODSSTW 5-II was incubated with human fecal microbiota in a short-term colonic model. In the samples, the impact of STW 5-II on microbial fermentation capacity (pH, gas production), short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and microbial composition (Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing) was analyzed. In addition, the biotransformation of STW 5-II constituents by the fecal microbiota was assessed by UHPLCHRMS-based metabolite profiling. Furthermore, Caco-2/THP1 co-culture assay was used to explore the effect on gut barrier integrity and inflammatory markers. RESULTSFermentation of STW 5-II by fecal microbiota led to consistent changes in pH and gas production and increased production of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). STW 5-II promoted the enrichment of Bifidobacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Eggerthellaceae and suppressed the growth of pathogenic species from the Enterobacteriaceae family. In Caco2/THP1 culture, treatment with STW 5-II-incubated samples resulted in significantly increased transepithelial electrical resistance, indicating enhanced barrier function. Among inflammatory markers, STW 5-II-incubated samples increased LPS-induced secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, as well as NF-κB activity, and significantly decreased the secretion of the pro-inflammatory chemokine MCP-1. UHPLCHRMS analysis identified 110 constituents of STW 5-II with changed levels during incubation with fecal microbiota: 63 constituents that were metabolized, 22 intermittently increased metabolites, and 25 final metabolites, including compounds with established anti-inflammatory activity, such as 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid. CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate a microbiome-mediated digestive health-promoting effect of STW 5-II via three different routes, namely enhanced microbial SCFA production, microbial production of potentially bioactive metabolites from STW 5-II constituents, and prebiotic-like action by promoting the proliferation/growth of beneficial bacteria.
The industrialization of metropolis urban areas with dry and steppe climates raise substantial environmental contamination, particularly in the water domain. This research investigated the awareness ...levels of business students toward drinking water quality and safety. We further explored the knowledge of the business students regarding drinking water issues and remedies. Eighty-four percent of respondents were happy with the quality of their drinking water, according to the findings. Approximately 66% of respondents paid special or rather high attention to drinking water quality and contamination incidents, particularly regarding possible harm to the human body and health, impact scope, and accident reasons. Few respondents reported to the health department or phoned the water safety department; 47.5% of respondents resolved drinking water issues independently. Age and education level did not play a significant role in the degree of public satisfaction with water quality or the public’s perception of water pollution incidents; however, business students in Samundri were more satisfied with their drinking water quality, and residents of Faisalabad Sadar were more aware of drinking water contamination incidents than residents in areas without such a network. Respondents with higher levels of education were more aware of water quality and pollution incidents than those with lower levels of education. The steppe climate, diverse human activities, and industrialization led to water pollution. The current research findings may provide fundamental data for efficient water management in the most populated and industrialized regions.
This study examined the relationship between Corporate Financial Performance (CFP) and Corporate Social Responsibility Performance (CSRP). Furthermore, it explored the effectiveness of chief ...executive characteristics as a moderator in the CFP-CSRP nexus. We employed a dynamic sysGMM regression model on 2,439 firm-year observations of Chinese firms. The results reveal that CFP (market-based) has a significant positive impact on CSRP. However, CFP (historical) is significantly negatively related to CSRP. Furthermore, the study found that CEO turnover and CEO duality negatively moderate the CFP-CSRP relationship, while CEO as CFO positively moderates this relationship. The findings have substantial implications for all stakeholders, including investors, CEOs, corporate regulators, and policymakers.
STW 5 is an herbal drug combination used for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) with visceral hypersensitivity as the therapy-resistant hallmark. STW 5 has been clinically ...proven to alleviate visceral hypersensitivity-related symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and early satiety. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive action of STW 5 remain unknown. Here, we investigate the role of STW 5 in the calcium mobilisation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons.
Calcium imaging experiments were performed with freshly dissociated cultured murine DRG neurons isolated from mice by microfluorometry. TRPA1-deficient DRGs, TRPV1-deficient DRGs, TRPA1/V1 double-deficient DRGs, and wild-type DRGs have been used to investigate the role of TRPs ion channels in mediating STW 5 action.
STW 5 (1.74 and 5.8 mg/ml) induced calcium ion influx into DRG neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Calcium transients were desensitised during repeated exposure to STW 5, an effect that was facilitated in TRPA1-deficient DRGs and less pronounced in TRPV1-deficient DRGs compared to wild-type (WT) DRGs.
Repeated exposure to STW 5 induced desensitisation of sensory neurons and may ultimately contribute to its proven clinical efficacy against sensory-related symptoms in patients with FGID, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and early satiety. This effect is modulated by the two prominent irritant sensors in nociceptors, TRPA1 and TRPV1.
This study investigates the influence of 3 vol.% Al2O3, 3 vol.% TiO2, and 3 vol.% Y2O3 in the CrFeCuMnNi equimolar high-entropy alloy on its microstructural changes and corrosion resistance. These ...oxide-dispersed high-entropy composites (ODS-HECs) were synthesized via high-energy ball milling (50 h) followed by uniaxial hot-compaction (550 MPa, 45 min), medium-frequency sintering (1100 °C, 20 min), and hot forging (50 MPa). The microstructures of the developed composites produced a stable FCC phase, a small amount of ordered BCC-B2 structure, Fe2O3, and corresponding dispersed oxide phases. The corrosion of the developed high-entropy composites was tested in 3.5% NaCl solution using several electrochemical techniques. The results revealed that the corrosion rate (RCorr) decreased with the incorporation of oxide particles. Among the investigated samples and based on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results, CrFeCuMnNi-3 vol.% TiO2 ODS-HECs were seen to possess the highest value of corrosion resistance (RP). The change in the chronoamperometric current with time indicated that the CrFeCuMnNi alloy suffered pitting corrosion which decreased when Al2O3 was added, forming a CrFeCuMnNi-3 vol.% Al2O3 sample. In contrast, the incorporation of a 3 vol.% Y2O3, and 3 vol. TiO2, prevents pitting.
The Stress-Strain Microprobe® (SSM) system and its Automated Ball Indentation® (ABI®) test technique were applied in the present study for the purpose of determining the flow properties of the alloy ...under study in a non-destructive manner. ABI tests were applied at 21 °C to the consolidated nanocrystalline Al-10 wt% Cu-5 wt% Ti alloy samples which were subjected to three and six hours of milling. The samples processed for six hours of milling were further tested at elevated temperatures of 200 °C and 400 °C. The results of the ABI tests of the alloy under study include the indentation load versus depth of penetration curves, true stress versus true-plastic-strain curves, determination of yield strength curves, ultimate tensile strength values, and ABI Brinell hardness number (BHN). X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) was applied to investigate the microstructure of the Al-10 wt% Cu-5 wt% Ti alloy subjected to different milling time before and after consolidation. XRD analysis includes identification of the main phases/elements present and calculating the crystallite size in the processed alloy for 3 and 6 h of milling before and after consolidation. Apreo Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope was applied to characterize the size and morphology of the indentation area after conducting the ABI tests. In addition, the same technique was applied to reveal the elemental distribution in the indentation area of the tested samples.
PurposeThis study examined the factors affecting university students' financial decisions in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation models were used to analyze data from 300 ...university students using a questionnaire. Students' financial decisions were used as the dependent variable, while financial literacy, money ethics, money attitude, time preference, financial experience, and financial specialization agents were the independent variables.FindingsResultantly, power, personal financial literacy, achievement, financial behavior, avoidance, reward for efforts, financial experience, financial attitude, financial socialization agents, and time preference influence the students' financial decisions.Practical implicationsThe findings are useful for financial and educational institutions and policymakers who design academic courses.Originality/valueThis study measured the effects of several critical contextual areas regarding financial literacy and students' decisions in Pakistani universities.
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