3D Printing of Graphene Aerogel Microspheres to Architect High-Performance Electrodes for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency is highly dependent on the electrocatalysts microstructure and the macrostructure of the electrodes. Herein, the graphene aerogel microspheres loaded with well-dispersed ultrafine Ni/Co nanoparticles catalyst is prepared through electro-spraying, in-situ crosslinking, freeze-drying, and pyrolysis, and then is utilized to print the HER electrode via direct ink writing (DIW). The obtained graphene-based aerogel microspheres possess peculiar cabbage-like mesoporous structures which allow ready access of reaction species to active sites, optimal mass transfer, and proton diffusion within the microspheres.

Ethylhexyl triazone sunscreen and its disinfection byproducts obtained after chlorine treatment: Ecofriendliness or ecotoxicity?

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for high-quality sunscreens that combine high efficacy with ecological characteristics. This trend has led to an increased use of triazine compounds, which represent an emerging class of UV filters. While it is well-established that sunscreens can have significant environmental impacts, there is limited data on the degradation of triazine UV filters, despite available information on their environmental persistence, particularly in relation to disinfection processes.

Acyclovir eco-geno-toxicity in freshwater organisms.

This study explores the eco-geno-toxic impact of Acyclovir (ACV), a widely used antiviral drug, on various freshwater organisms, given its increasing detection in surface waters. The research focused on non-target organisms, including the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, the cladoceran crustacean Ceriodaphnia dubia, and the benthic ostracod Heterocypris incongruens, exposed to ACV to assess both acute and chronic toxicity. The results indicate that while acute toxicity occurs at environmentally not-relevant concentrations, a significant chronic toxicity for C.

Boosting Contact Electrification by Amorphous Polyvinyl Alcohol Endowing Improved Contact Adhesion and Electrochemical Capacitance.

Ion conductive hydrogels are relevant components in wearable, biocompatible, and biodegradable electronics. Polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) homopolymer is often the favored choice for integration into supercapacitors and energy harvesters as in sustainable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, to further improve hydrogel-based TENGs, a deeper understanding of the impact of their composition and structure on devices performance is necessary.

Zein-Based Nanoparticles as Active Platforms for Sustainable Applications: Recent Advances and Perspectives.

Nanomaterials, due to their unique structural and functional features, are widely investigated for potential applications in a wide range of industrial sectors. In this context, protein-based nanoparticles, given proteins' abundance, non-toxicity, and stability, offer a promising and sustainable methodology for encapsulation and protection, and can be used in engineered nanocarriers that are capable of releasing active compounds on demand. Zein is a plant-based protein extracted from corn, and it is biocompatible, biodegradable, and amphiphilic.

Efficient recycling pathway of bio-based composite polyurethane foams via sustainable diamine.

Aminolysis is widely recognized as a valuable chemical route for depolymerizing polymeric materials containing ester, amide, or urethane functional groups, including polyurethane foams. Bio-based polyurethane foams, pristine and reinforced with 40 wt% of sustainable fillers, were depolymerized in the presence of bio-derived butane-1,4-diamine, BDA. A process comparison was made using fossil-derived ethane-1,2-diamine, EDA, by varying amine/polyurethane ratio (F/A, 1:1 and 1:0.

Optimization of Piezoresistive Response of Elastomeric Porous Structures Based on Carbon-Based Hybrid Fillers Created by Selective Laser Sintering.

Recently, piezoresistive sensors made by 3D printing have gained considerable interest in the field of wearable electronics due to their ultralight nature, high compressibility, robustness, and excellent electromechanical properties. In this work, building on previous results on the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) of porous systems based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and graphene (GE)/carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as carbon conductive fillers, the effect of variables such as thickness, diameter, and porosity of 3D printed disks is thoroughly studied with the aim of optimizing their piezoresistive performance. The resulting system is a disk with a diameter of 13 mm and a thickness of 0.

Advanced oxidation process of valsartan by activated peroxymonosulfate: Chemical characterization and ecotoxicological effects of its byproducts.

In recent years, the antihypertensive drug Valsartan (VAL) has been detected in surface waters up to concentrations of 6300 ng/L, due to its high consumption and its mostly unchanged excretion. Moreover, wastewater treatment plants fail to completely mineralize/transform it, as evidenced by findings of up to 3800 ng/L in some effluents. In this paper, the possible degradation of VAL was evaluated through Fenton-like reaction with activation of peroxymonosulfate in the presence of Fe(II) under neutral conditions.

Preparation and properties of novel binary and ternary highly amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol)-based composites with hybrid nanofillers.

Smart protective coatings and devices are currently of great interest. In particular, they can absorb or reflect harmful waves of electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this work, novel binary and ternary composites with highly amorphous poly(vinyl alcohol) (HAVOH) as a matrix and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and MXenes as nanofillers were prepared.

Bactericidal Activity of Silver-Doped Chitosan Coatings via Electrophoretic Deposition on TiAlV Additively Manufactured Substrates.

Prosthetic reconstruction can serve as a feasible alternative, delivering both functional and aesthetic benefits to individuals with hand and finger injuries, frequent causes of emergency room visits. Implant-related infections pose significant challenges in arthroplasty and osteosynthesis procedures, contributing to surgical failures. As a potential solution to this challenge, this study developed a new class of silver (Ag)-doped chitosan (CS) coatings via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on osseointegrated prostheses for infection therapy.

Direct Laser Writing of Chitosan-Borax Composites: Toward Sustainable Electrochemical Sensors.

In this study, the laser-induced graphitization process of sustainable chitosan-based formulations was investigated. In particular, optimal lasing conditions were investigated alongside the effect of borax concentration in the chitosan matrix. In all cases, it was found that the obtained formulations were graphitizable with a CO laser.

Osteoporosis and dermatoporosis: a review on the role of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis (OP) and Dermatoporosis (DP) are expressions of the aging process at the skin and bone levels, respectively. Both conditions are associated with increased morbidity for elderly people, and this requires necessary interventions. They share many common risk factors; among these, vitamin D (VD) deficiency appears to have a role.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Decays of W Bosons Using a Dilepton Displaced Vertex in sqrt[s]=13 TeV pp Collisions with the ATLAS Detector.

A search for a long-lived, heavy neutral lepton (N) in 139  fb^{-1} of sqrt[s]=13  TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is reported. The N is produced via W→Nμ or W→Ne and decays into two charged leptons and a neutrino, forming a displaced vertex. The N mass is used to discriminate between signal and background.

Effectiveness of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Functionalized with Benzoyl Chloride in pH-Responsive Anticorrosion Polymer Coatings.

Smart polymer coatings embedding stimuli-responsive corrosion inhibitor nanocarriers are commonly exploited, in the literature, for the development of high-performance active coatings. In this work, high-surface-area amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-NH) were developed with a one-step synthesis process and then functionalized with benzoyl chloride (MSN-BC) through a reaction with amino groups. MSN-BC are able to release benzoic acid (BA) in acid and alkaline conditions as a result of the hydrolysis of the pH-sensitive amide bond.

Diclofenac eco-geno-toxicity in freshwater algae, rotifers and crustaceans.

This study assessed the eco-genotoxic impact of diclofenac (DCF) in sentinel species of the freshwater ecosystem. DCF residues are found in freshwater from few ng/L to tens of μg/L due to the inability of conventional wastewater treatment plants to ensure removal efficiency of the drug. An ample body of literature reports on the acute toxicity of DCF in non-target organisms without addressing potential chronic long-term effects on organisms at actual, environmental concentrations.

Characterization of Complexes between Imidacloprid and β-Cyclodextrin: Evaluation of the Toxic Activity in Algae and Rotifers.

The development of new formulations can be driven by the knowledge of host-guest complexes using cyclodextrins which have the ability to include guest molecules within their hydrophobic cavities, improving the physicochemical properties of the guest. To rationally explore new pesticide formulations, the effects of cyclodextrins on the properties of such guest molecules need to be explored. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid systemic insecticide used worldwide.

Monitoring Water Absorption and Desorption in Untreated and Consolidated Tuff by a Non-Invasive Graphene-Based Humidity Sensor.

A hybrid montmorillonite (MMT)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) film was realised and used as a non-invasive sensor for the monitoring of water absorption and desorption in pristine and consolidated tuff stones. This film was obtained by casting from a water dispersion containing graphene oxide (GO), montmorillonite and ascorbic acid; then the GO component was thermo-chemically reduced and the ascorbic acid phase was removed by washing. The hybrid film showed electrical surface conductivity that varied linearly with the relative humidity, ranging from 2.

Effect of Different Methods to Synthesize Polyol-Grafted-Cellulose Nanocrystals as Inter-Active Filler in Bio-Based Polyurethane Foams.

Currently, the scientific community has spent a lot of effort in developing "green" and environmentally friendly processes and products, due the contemporary problems connected to pollution and climate change. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are at the forefront of current research due to their multifunctional characteristics of biocompatibility, high mechanical properties, specific surface area, tunable surface chemistry and renewability. However, despite these many advantages, their inherent hydrophilicity poses a substantial challenge for the application of CNCs as a reinforcing filler in polymers, as it complicates their dispersion in hydrophobic polymeric matrices, such as polyurethane foams, often resulting in aggregate structures that compromise their properties.

Preliminary Stiffness-Driven Redesign of a Laminated Prosthetic Component Using Additive Manufacturing.

Three-dimensional printed polymers offer unprecedented advantages for prosthetic applications, namely in terms of affordability and customisation. This work thus investigates the possibility of designing an additively manufactured prosthetic foot using continuous fibre-reinforced polymers as an alternative to composite laminate ones. A numerical approach was thus proposed and validated as a possible design tool for additively manufactured composite feet.

Long-Term Safety of Growth Hormone Deficiency Treatment in Cancer and Sellar Tumors Adult Survivors: Is There a Role of GH Therapy on the Neoplastic Risk?

Experimental studies support the hypothesis that GH/IGF-1 status may influence neoplastic tissue growth. Epidemiological studies suggest a link between GH/IGF-1 status and cancer risk. However, several studies regarding GH replacement safety in childhood cancer survivors do not show a prevalence excess of de novo cancers, and several reports on children and adults treated with GH have not shown an increase in observed cancer risk in these patients.

Imidacloprid: Comparative toxicity, DNA damage, ROS production and risk assessment for aquatic non-target organisms.

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid systemic insecticide used worldwide. Despite its hazardous impact on non-target organisms, few studies have been conducted concerning the potential eco-genotoxic effects in invertebrates of surface waters where this pesticide is detected from units of ng/L to tens of μg/L. The aim of the present work was to determine the acute, the sub-chronic and the chronic toxicity of imidacloprid in producers and primary consumers of the freshwater trophic chain.

Sequential Infiltration Synthesis of AlO in Biodegradable Polybutylene Succinate: Characterization of the Infiltration Mechanism.

The introduction of inorganic materials into biopolymers has been envisioned as a viable option to modify the optical and structural properties of these polymers and promote their exploitation in different application fields. In this work, the growth of AlO in freestanding ∼30-μm-thick poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) films by sequential infiltration (SIS) at 70 °C via trimethylaluminum (TMA) and HO precursors was investigated for the first time. The incorporation of AlO into the PBS matrix was clearly demonstrated by XPS analysis and SEM-EDX cross-sectional images showing a homogeneous AlO distribution inside the PBS films.

Polystyrene microplastic particles in combination with pesticides and antiviral drugs: Toxicity and genotoxicity in Ceriodaphnia dubia.

Freshwater ecosystems are recognized as non-negligible sources of plastic contamination for the marine environment that is the final acceptor of 53 thousand tons of plastic per year. In this context, microplastic particles are well known to directly pose a great threat to freshwater organisms, they also indirectly affect the aquatic ecosystem by adsorbing and acting as a vector for the transport of other pollutants ("Trojan horse effect"). Polystyrene is one of the most widely produced plastics on a global scale, and it is among the most abundant microplastic particles found in freshwaters.