Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) leaves, a major by-product of pepper cultivation in the Yucatán Peninsula, are an underexploited source of phenolic compounds with relevant antioxidant potential. In this work, phenolic-rich extracts obtained with a choline chloride–glucose Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) and ultrasound-assisted extraction were microencapsulated by spray-drying using maltodextrin and Guar gum. The microcapsules were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, total polyphenol content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity (Ax), and were subsequently subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to assess their bioaccessibility. Raman spectra confirmed the formation of a maltodextrin–Guar-gum matrix with broad glycosidic bands (480–1450 cm−1) and CH-stretching at ≈2900 cm−1, indicative of polymer–phenolic interactions. From de experimental design, the formulation containing 5% Guar gum at 100 °C reached the highest intestinal TPC (31.00 ± 0.30 mg GAE/100 g powder) and increased TPC bioaccessibility at the intestinal phase (283.28 ± 3.22%), evidencing efficient enzymatic release of bound phenolics. The greatest pre-digestion antioxidant capacity (19.56 ± 0.33% DPPH inhibition) corresponded to 7.5% GG at 104 °C, while intestinal antioxidant recovery peaked at 17.34 ± 0.14% (7.8% GG, 89.4 °C). The optimal TPC bioaccessibility value obtained was 358.3%, under optimal spray-drying conditions, consisting of 4% guar gum and an inlet temperature of 104 °C. Overall, the synergy between NADES-based extraction and optimized spray-drying enabled a stable, digestion-responsive encapsulation system that substantially enhanced phenolic retention and intestinal bioaccessibility, supporting its application as a sustainable strategy to valorize C. chinense leaves into antioxidant-rich functional ingredients.
For the first time, a well-defined all-solid-state lithium battery (denoted as ASS-LTO/Li) assembled by an electrode of lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO), a metal-organic framework (MOF) of wetted quasi [Zn4O(bdc)3] and a metallic lithium foil is prepared in this work, in which the wetted quasi [Zn4O(bdc)3] is not only employed as a separator but also used as the solid-state electrolyte. The initial charge and discharge capacities of the as-prepared ASS-LTO/Li at 0.2 C are as high as 187.4 and 286.4 mAh·g−1, respectively, corresponding to a Coulombic efficiency of about 65.4%. More importantly, the discharge capacity of ASS-LTO/Li after 100 cycles at 1 C is still as high as 125 mAh·g−1. After a thorough characterization, the greatly attenuated CV peak area, the evidently increased charge transfer resistance, as well as the decomposition of the quais [Zn4O(bdc)3] during cycling, are analyzed to be the main reasons providing the ASS-LTO/Li with an evident decay of the electrochemical performance in the long-term test of 100 cycles at 1 C. An all-solid-state battery (denoted as ASS-Gr/Li) that is constructed by a pure graphite electrode (abbreviated as Gr), a wetted quasi [Zn4O(bdc)3], and a metallic lithium foil is also prepared in this work. The initial discharge capacity of ASS-Gr/Li at 0.2 A·g−1 is about 169 mAh·g−1, a value evidently lower than the theoretical value of graphite (372 mAh·g−1). The discharge capacity of ASS-Gr/Li at 1.0 A·g−1 is about 24 mAh·g−1, which decreases to about 12 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles. Although the battery performances of the above two newly developed batteries are poor as compared to the state-of-the-art all-solid-state lithium batteries reported recently, this work sheds light on a novel approach for the further exploration of all-solid-state lithium battery.
The recovery of hand function in chronic stroke survivors is challenging because of finger complexity and post-stroke spasticity. This study developed iPARKO-2, a novel device that simulates the manual finger extensor facilitation technique while overcoming the limitations of the original device. iPARKO-2 enables the simultaneous fixation of the index through the little fingers and applies resistance from the proximal phalanges, allowing training in patients with strong fingertip spasticity. This study is a pilot study aimed at technical validation and feasibility. Five participants underwent training at three distinct target-pushing force levels. Concurrently, their active range of motion and extensor muscle activity were measured. The results show a direct correlation between the increased pushing force and the improvement in total active motion. Furthermore, the level of muscle activity exhibited a positive correlation with the extent of the observed improvement. iPARKO-2 also reduced the fixation time and enhanced usability. These findings suggest that iPARKO-2 effectively enhances voluntary hand movements and that pushing force is a key factor in determining training efficacy.
Many family farmers depend on public support to maintain their activity, which highlights the need to review the challenges associated with their farming system and marketing. The importance of family farming reinforces the need to include this sector in agricultural, environmental, and social policies, identifying opportunities and promoting the necessary changes to ensure more equitable and balanced development. In Portugal, in 2018, the Family Farming Statute was established to distinguish, recognise, and value family farming through specific local support measures. In this study, farmers with the Family Farming Statute in the North of Portugal were characterised. Interviews were conducted using questionnaires, and the indicators/requirements currently provided in the statute were analysed. Based on the literature review, new indicators have been suggested to help increase the number of family farmers included in the Statute. Despite being a good policy to support family farming, the Family Farming Statute needs revision to ensure wider inclusion. Support should be more attractive and comprehensive, including economic support, technical assistance, training programmes, local marketing channels, valorisation of traditional products, and short supply chains.
Towns and cities may provide suitable habitats for wildlife, including birds. In Africa, ecological studies on avian communities are, however, rare. Namibia is an exception to the rule, but even here, there is still an urgent need to conduct such studies in various urban habitats. This study has been conducted on breeding bird communities in Windhoek, the largest city in the country. Bird communities were quantified in five distinguished habitats by means of the line transect method. In total, 16 transects were designed, with a total length of 82.8 km. The studies were conducted in August 2020. The avian assemblage was composed of 32–45 resident (breeding) bird species in various habitats of the city, with 4–7 dominant species distinguished in each habitat. In all distinguished habitats, granivores comprised more than half of all birds recorded. Frugivores comprised 20.4–28.0% in most habitats. In most habitats, birds nesting on trees or shrubs comprised at least 50%, except for the city centre, where they comprised only 30.6%. On the other hand, only in the city center, species nesting on/in buildings comprised as much as 68.2%; in all other habitats their contribution ranged between 39.2% and 48.5%. The Shannon’s Diversity Index ranged slightly between 1.17 and 1.26. Also the Pielou’s Evenness Index was much the same (0.31–0.36) in all habitats investigated.
