Characterization of physicochemical and immunogenic properties of allergenic proteins altered by food processing:a review

Food allergens are mainly naturally-occurring proteins with immunoglobulin E(IgE)-binding epitopes.Understanding the structural and immunogenic characteristics of allergenic proteins is essential in assessing whether and how food processing techniques reduce allergenicity.We here discuss the impacts of food processing technologies on the modification of physicochemical,structural,and immunogenic properties of allergenic proteins.Detection techniques for characterizing changes in these properties of food allergens are summarized.Food processing helps to reduce allergenicity by aggregating or denaturing proteins,which masks,modifies,or destroys antigenic epitopes,whereas,it cannot eliminate allergenicity completely,and sometimes even improves allergenicity by exposing new epitopes.Moreover,most food processing techniques have been tested on purified food allergens rather than food products due to potential interference of other food components.We provide guidance for further development of processing operations that can decrease the allergenicity of allergenic food proteins without negatively impacting the nutritional profile.

Preparation of modified LiMn_2O_4 by solid-state reaction

Modified lithium manganese oxides were prepared by solid-state reaction of LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2 as raw materials. A study was carried out by TG-DSC, XRD, DSC and electrochemical to analyse the reaction process and structural characterization of products. The results show that the LiMn2O4 reacts chemically with LiCoO2 at high temperature. All of Li and partial Co atoms can insert into the LiMn2O4 crystal lattice and a newly formed spinel phase-modified LiMn2O4 was obtained. The distribution of Co content is even in modified LiMn2O4 compound. The modified LiMn2O4 compound exhibits improved cycling stability at room and elevated temperature in comparison with the pure LiMn2O4.

Application of Numerical Simulation Technique to Casting Process of Valve Block

The numerical simulation technique was applied to the casting process of a valve-type part. The mold-filling and solidification stages of the casting were numerically analyzed. The filling behavior, solidification sequence, and thermal stress distribution were reproduced and the possible defects, such as cold shut and shrinkage, were predicted. Based on the simulation result, the double-gating system was replaced by a single-gating system. Meanwhile, the chills were used to regulate the solidification sequence of casting. To eliminate the cracks in the casting, the sand core was converted into a canulate one. By modifying the original process, the defects were eliminated and the casting with good quality was obtained.

Interfacial engineering of printable bottom back metal electrodes for full-solution processed flexible organic solar cells

Printing of metal bottom back electrodes of flexible organic solar cells（FOSCs） at low temperature is of great significance to realize the full-solution fabrication technology. However, this has been difficult to achieve because often the interfacial properties of those printed electrodes, including conductivity, roughness, work function,optical and mechanical flexibility, cannot meet the device requirement at the same time. In this work, we fabricate printed Ag and Cu bottom back cathodes by a low-temperature solution technique named polymer-assisted metal deposition（PAMD） on flexible PET substrates. Branched polyethylenimine（PEI） and ZnO thin films are used as the interface modification layers（IMLs） of these cathodes. Detailed experimental studies on the electrical, mechanical, and morphological properties, and simulation study on the optical properties of these IMLs are carried out to understand and optimize the interface of printed cathodes. We demonstrate that the highest power conversion efficiency over 3.0% can be achieved from a full-solution processed OFSC with the device structure being PAMDAg/PEI/P3 HT：PC61BM/PH1000. This device also acquires remarkable stability upon repeating bending tests.