Fourier self-deconvolution of the IR spectra as a tool for investigation of distinct functional groups in porous materials: Brønsted acid sites in zeolites

Efficient Near-Infrared Spectrum Detection in Nondestructive Wood Testing via Transfer Network Redesign

This study systematically developed a deep transfer network for near-infrared spectrum detection using convolutional neural network modules as key components. Through meticulous evaluation, specific modules and structures suitable for constructing the near-infrared spectrum detection model were identified, ensuring its effectiveness. This study extensively analyzed the basic network components and explored three unsupervised domain adaptation structures, highlighting their applications in the nondestructive testing of wood. Additionally, five transfer networks were strategically redesigned to substantially enhance their performance. The experimental results showed that the Conditional Domain Adversarial Network and Globalized Loss Optimization Transfer network outperformed the Direct Standardization, Piecewise Direct Standardization, and Spectral Space Transformation models. The coefficients of determination for the Conditional Domain Adversarial Network and Globalized Loss Optimization Transfer network are 82.11% and 83.59%, respectively, with root mean square error prediction values of 12.237 and 11.582, respectively. These achievements represent considerable advancements toward the practical implementation of an efficient and reliable near-infrared spectrum detection system using a deep transfer network.

Use of Bombyx mori silk fibroin in tissue engineering: From cocoons to medical devices, challenges, and future perspectives

Silk fibroin has become a prominent material in tissue engineering (TE) over the last 20 years with almost 10,000 published works spanning in all the TE applications, from skeleton to neuronal regeneration. Fibroin is an extremely versatile biopolymer that, due to its ease of processing, has enabled the development of an entire plethora of materials whose properties and architectures can be tailored to suit target applications. Although the research and development of fibroin TE materials and devices is mature, apart from sutures, only a few medical products made of fibroin are used in the clinical routines. <40 clinical trials of Bombyx mori silk-related products have been reported by the FDA and few of them resulted in a commercialized device. In this review, after explaining the structure and properties of silk fibroin, we provide an overview of both fibroin constructs existing in the literature and fibroin devices used in clinic. Through the comparison of these two categories, we identified the burning issues faced by fibroin products during their translation to the market. Two main aspects will be considered. The first is the standardization of production processes, which leads both to the standardization of the characteristics of the issued device and the correct assessment of its failure. The second is the FDA regulations, which allow new devices to be marketed through the 510(k) clearance by demonstrating their equivalence to a commercialized medical product. The history of some fibroin medical devices will be taken as a case study. Finally, we will outline a roadmap outlining what actions we believe are needed to bring fibroin products to the market.

Detection of Additives and Chemical Contaminants in Turmeric Powder Using FT-IR Spectroscopy

Yellow turmeric (Curcuma longa) is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes, and as a dietary supplement. Due to the commercial popularity of C. longa, economic adulteration and contamination with botanical additives and chemical substances has increased. This study used FT-IR spectroscopy for identifying and estimating white turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria), and Sudan Red G dye mixed with yellow turmeric powder. Fifty replicates of yellow turmeric-Sudan Red mixed samples (1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% Sudan Red, w/w) and fifty replicates of yellow turmeric-white turmeric mixed samples (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% white turmeric, w/w) were prepared. The IR spectra of the pure compounds and mixtures were analyzed. The 748 cm^-1 Sudan Red peak and the 1078 cm^-1 white turmeric peak were used as spectral fingerprints. A partial least square regression (PLSR) model was developed for each mixture type to estimate adulteration concentrations. The coefficient of determination (R²_v) for the Sudan Red mixture model was 0.97 with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) equal to 1.3%. R²_v and RMSEP for the white turmeric model were 0.95 and 3.0%, respectively. Our results indicate that the method developed in this study can be used to identify and quantify yellow turmeric powder adulteration.

Intermediate product regulation over tandem catalysts for one-pass conversion of syngas to ethanol

Selective conversion of syngas (CO/H₂) to ethanol is an attractive but challenging target.

Functional transformation of Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectrum for improving spectral specificity by simple algorithm based on wavelet-like functions

Herein a simple algorithm for the mathematical transformation of FTIR spectrum was developed, evaluated, and applied for description of different systems. Water, ethanol, n-butanol, n-hexanol, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and water-acetic acid mixtures at different concentrations were used as model systems. We found that functional transformation of FTIR spectrum can be performed by functionally-enhanced derivative spectroscopy approach using the Function P, which is defined as P = (1 + a_j)(s)^−0.5 where a_j and s are the absorbance and the scale factor, respectively. It is also demonstrated that Function P can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of pure substances and mixtures. It is concluded that Function P can be understood as a wavelet transformation, which is evaluated at small times and displacements, with scaling factor given by the change of absorbance inverse.