Vulcanization is an important step in the manufacture of solid tires in which the crosslinking process occurs. In vulcanization, the materials commonly used as activators and coactivators are ZnO and stearic acid, respectively. In this research, ZnO and stearic acid were replaced with zinc stearate to improve the characteristics of vulcanized rubber. Zinc stearate was applied in four formulas with a composition of 5 to 9 phr. A formula that is often used in the rubber industry was used as a comparison, and ZnO and stearic acid of 5 phr and 2.5 phr, respectively, were applied. The rubber compound for solid tire production was developed using an open mill at a compounding temperature of 45 °C ± 5 °C. The vulcanization process of developing the rubber compound into vulcanized rubber was carried out at 150 °C for 20 min. Rubber compound test results showed that the use of zinc stearate at a ratio of 8 phr accelerated the curing time (t₉₀) between 58.3% and 69%, the scorch time (ts2) between 22.4% and 95.5%, and the torque delta (Δ_s) between 17.67 and 24.21 kg-cm. In addition, the vulcanized rubber mechanical properties test results for the compression set parameter increased between 28.6% and 57.1%. Scan results with SEM–EDS showed that using ZS could improve the homogeneous distribution of the material in the vulcanized matrix of solid tire rubber.

The integration of advanced sensors and digital technologies into food packaging systems has catalyzed the emergence of Smart Packaging 4.0, transitioning the package from a passive barrier into an intelligent cyber‐physical interface for real‐time monitoring and traceability. This study employs a systematic bibliometric analysis to map the intellectual structure of the field using bibliographic data retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, analyzing a refined dataset of 253 unique documents published between 2015 and 2024 that exhibit a robust annual publication growth rate of 30.31%. Co‐occurrence and network clustering analyses reveal three dominant research themes: (i) physicochemical sensing (pH sensors and colorimetry) for real‐time spoilage detection; (ii) active and bioactive materials (anthocyanins and chitosan) for functional food protection; and (iii) digital supply chain integration (RFID and IoT) for enhanced traceability and logistics. The technological evolution is characterized by a strategic shift from the foundations of modified atmosphere packaging in Phase I (2017–2019) and biodegradable sensor‐embedded materials in Phase II (2020–2022) to the current peak of innovation in Phase III (2023–2024), which defines Smart Packaging 4.0 through the convergence of AI, blockchain, and predictive analytics for secure and autonomous food management. Despite these advancements, critical barriers to large‐scale commercialization persist, notably nanomaterial safety concerns regarding the migration of ZnO and TiO ₂ into food, prohibitive sensor costs, and regulatory fragmentation between the European Union′s positive‐list approach and the United States′ exposure‐based model. This study provides a strategic decision‐support framework that aligns technological innovation with global sustainability mandates, offering actionable insights to guide the development of next‐generation intelligent, eco‐efficient food packaging ecosystems.

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested that milk consumption can promote growth in children. However, limited studies have been performed on the effects of cow milk varieties, especially β-casein A2 milk. This study aims to investigate the effect of β-casein A2 cow milk supplementation on physical growth, inflammation, and growth-related hormone and nutritional biomarker profiles in growth-stunted children.Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with only one group and a pre-and posttest design. This research is divided into 3 stages: allele testing in the β-casein gene, processing into ready-to-drink milk, and a clinical trial. The participants were children aged 12–36 months who were given 200-mL β-casein A2 cow milk supplementation once a day for 3 months. The outcome assessments were physical growth (body weight and height), inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and cortisol levels), and biological markers related to growth and nutrition (insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], growth hormone [GH], and transferrin) that were measured during pre-, mid (week 6)-, and post (week 12)-intervention periods.Results: This study included 30 study participants. Significant body weight and height improvements were observed at week 6 and postintervention (week 12) compared to preintervention. There were significant reductions in the inflammation markers TNF-α and cortisol levels postintervention. Additionally, IGF-1 and GH levels increased significantly, and transferrin levels also rose, potentially reflecting improved nutritional status.Conclusion: This study suggests that β-casein A2 milk supplementation was associated with improvements in physical growth and related biomarkers in stunted children. Additionally, β-casein A2 milk may produce fewer BCM-7 metabolites compared to β-casein A1 milk, which has been hypothesized to be associated with certain adverse health outcomes. However, further controlled studies are needed to confirm its efficacy as a dietary intervention.

Context: Echinacea purpurea, a well-known herbal remedy, is believed to possess immunomodulatory properties and has been traditionally utilized for a wide range of health benefits. However, its antiviral activities, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, and its modulation of reproductive hormones remain unknown. Aims: To investigate the utilization of E. purpurea herbal preparations as an antiviral by evaluating the Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) expression and investigating its effect on reproductive hormones by measuring androgen in males and estrogen in females. Methods: Forty male and female participants were randomly assigned to different groups. Daily administration of 400 mg of E. purpurea herbal preparations for 28 days constituted the intervention. The gathering of demographic data was documented. Before and after the intervention, samples were collected for investigation, which included the ELISA-based assessment of androgen, estrogen, and TMPRSS2 expression. Results: This study indicated that administration of E. purpurea can significantly down-regulate TMPRSS2 expression in both males (8.39 ± 1.13 to 4.16 ± 1.53; p=0.000) and females (14.18 ± 1.93 to 5.25 ± 1.13; p=0.000). The androgen was also significantly down-regulated in the male intervention group (22.73 ± 1.75 to 12.72 ± 2.26; p=0.000). In addition, estrogen levels were also significantly up-regulated in the female intervention group (72.33 ± 11.12 to 161.14 ± 35.13; p=0.000). Conclusions: E. purpurea may be capable of down-regulating androgen in males, up-regulating estrogen in females, and down-regulating TMPRSS2 expression. This study contributes to the growing body of literature exploring the effects of E. purpurea as an antiviral property, especially for SARS-CoV-2, and its effect on reproductive hormones.

Plastic packaging poses significant environmental challenges due to its resistance to natural degradation. In response, there has been a growing body of research dedicated to developing sustainable packaging alternatives, particularly those based on biodegradable materials. Biopolymer‐based packaging is widely recognized for its enhanced environmental compatibility, owing to its capacity for natural decomposition and reduced ecological footprint. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of recent advancements in biopolymer coatings for food packaging, with a focus on their potential to enhance food safety, quality, and shelf life. Analysis of publications from 2015 to 2024 indicates a substantial and consistent rise in scholarly output related to biopolymer‐based packaging solutions, driven by global efforts to mitigate plastic waste and its associated environmental impacts. The findings suggest that the future trajectory of biodegradable packaging research should emphasize the development of materials that simultaneously support human health and environmental sustainability. Bibliometric mapping identified polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), chitosan, and cellulose‐based polymers as key areas of innovation, highlighting their increasing prominence and interdisciplinary research significance. These materials are notable for their biodegradability, and many also exhibit intrinsic functional properties such as antimicrobial and antioxidant activities—attributes that are highly desirable in food packaging applications. Biopolymer coatings, in particular, have demonstrated excellent barrier properties, including controlled permeability to moisture and oxygen, which are critical for maintaining food integrity. Such coatings contribute to extended shelf life by minimizing dehydration and oxidative damage while concurrently offering protection against microbial contamination. Despite the promising functional characteristics of these materials, several challenges continue to hinder their widespread adoption. Key barriers include high production costs, the limited availability of industrial composting infrastructure, and the general lack of consumer awareness regarding appropriate disposal practices. Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts across research, industry, and policy domains. To enable scalable implementation, future innovation must achieve critical advancements in materials science, biopolymer production efficiency, and regulatory alignment. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach will be essential to realize the full potential of biopolymer coatings as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging.

Context: Clitoria ternatea, commonly known for its potential health benefits, is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties and has been traditionally utilized for a variety of health applications. However, its effects on vaginal health and reproductive hormones remain underexplored. Aims: To assess the effects of C. ternatea on vaginal health by evaluating bacterial vaginosis occurrence, vaginal pH, Nugent scores, and inflammatory markers (TGF-β, IL-6) and to investigate its impact on reproductive hormones by measuring progesterone and estradiol levels. Methods: Thirty female participants were enrolled in a single-group pre- and post-test design study. Subject participants were given administration of C. ternatea 460 mg twice daily for 28 days. Demographic data and clinical evaluations were documented. Before and after the intervention, samples were collected for microscopic examination and ELISA-based assessment of TGF-β, IL-6, progesterone, and estradiol levels. Results: This study indicated that C. ternatea supplementation significantly reduced bacterial vaginosis occurrence from 93.1% to 51.7% (p<0.001), decreased vaginal pH from 5.04 ± 0.518 to 4.67 ± 0.679 (p=0.004), and improved Nugent scores from 6.96 ± 1.480 to 5.00 ± 1.840 (p<0.001). Additionally, there were significant reductions in TGF-β (116.86 ± 52.518 ng/mL to 46.16 ± 49.246 ng/mL, p<0.001) and IL-6 (320.96 ± 139.189 ng/L to 128.31 ± 181.669 ng/L, p<0.001). However, there were no significant changes in progesterone or estradiol levels. Conclusions: C. ternatea may significantly improve vaginal health by reducing the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis, lowering vaginal pH, and decreasing inflammatory markers. However, it does not appear to affect reproductive hormone levels. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of C. ternatea for vaginal health, warranting further investigation in larger, controlled trials.