Growth of the metal-organic framework ZIF-67 on cellulosic substrates for triboelectric nanogenerators.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials with a metal ion coordinated to a ligand molecule. Recently, MOFs are being explored extensively for energy harvesting triboelectrification. However, the majority of MOFs are brittle and hard to grow, thus leading to poor device stability and flexibility.

A low-cost PPG sensor-based empirical study on healthy aging based on changes in PPG morphology.

Objective: We study the changes in morphology of the photoplethysmography (PPG) signals-acquired from a select group of South Asian origin-through a low-cost PPG sensor, and correlate it with healthy aging which allows us to reliably estimate the vascular age and chronological age of a healthy person as well as the age group he/she belongs to.

Methods: Raw infrared PPG data is collected from the finger-tip of 173 appar- ently healthy subjects, aged 3-61 years, via a non-invasive low- cost MAX30102 PPG sensor. In addition, the following metadata is recorded for each subject: age, gender, height, weight, family history of cardiac disease, smoking history, vitals (heart rate and SpO2).

Life cycle assessment of drinking water and wastewater treatment works in mainland Scotland.

Assessing the global warming potential (GWP) of water treatment systems is vital for reducing the carbon footprint of the water industry and aiding the net zero target. The approach of life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to determine the GWPs of four drinking water treatment works (DWTW) and one wastewater treatment works (WWTW) on the Scottish mainland. The results were compared with a previous study on the DWTWs and WWTWs of five Scottish islands which used the same method (LCA), modelling and context as the mainland work.

Beneficial modulation of the gut microbiome by leachates of Penicillium purpurogenum in the presence of clays: A model for the preparation and efficacy of historical Lemnian Earth.

The experiments presented here are based on the reconfiguration of an ancient medicine, Lemnian Earth (LE) (terra sigillata, stamped earth, sphragis), an acclaimed therapeutic clay with a 2500-year history of use. Based on our hypothesis that LE was not a natural material but an artificially modified one involving a clay-fungus interaction, we present results from experiments involving the co-culture of a common fungus, Penicillium purpurogenum (Pp), with two separate clay slurries, smectite and kaolin, which are the principal constituents of LE. Our results show: (a) the leachate of the Pp+smectite co-culture is antibacterial in vitro, inhibiting the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; (b) in vivo, supplementation of regular mouse diet with leachates of Pp+smectite increases intestinal microbial diversity; (c) Pp+kaolin does not produce similar results; (d) untargeted metabolomics and analysis of bacterial functional pathways indicates that the Pp+smectite-induced microbiome amplifies production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and amino acid biosynthesis, known to modulate intestinal and systemic inflammation.

Slotted ALOHA Based Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) Blockchain Networks: Performance Analysis and Optimization.

Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) is one of the most popular consensus mechanisms for the consortium and private blockchain technology. It has been recognized as a candidate consensus mechanism for the Internet of Things networks as it offers lower resource requirements and high performance when compared with other consensus mechanisms such as proof of work. In this paper, by considering the blockchain nodes are wirelessly connected, we model the network nodes distribution and transaction arrival rate as Poisson point process and we develop a framework for evaluating the performance of the wireless PBFT network.

Switchable Fluorescence of a Mechanical Stimulus-Responsive Au-P-S Complex.

The reaction of [(3-bdppmapy)(AuCl)] with NaHmna (3-bdppmapy = N,N'-bis-(diphenylphosphanylmethyl-3-aminopytidine, Hmna = 2-mercaptonicotinic acid)) resulted in a tetranuclear Au-P-S complex [(3-bdppmapy)(AuHmna)(AuCl)] () which emitted bright yellow fluorescence at 542 nm under 377 nm excitation (QY = 5.3%, = 0.83 ns).

Formation and Fate of Reactive Nitrogen during Biological Nitrogen Removal from Water: Important Yet Often Ignored Chemical Aspects of the Nitrogen Cycle.

Hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, and nitric oxide are obligate intermediates or side metabolites in different nitrogen-converting microorganisms. These compounds are unstable and susceptible to the formation of highly reactive nitrogen species, including nitrogen dioxide, dinitrogen trioxide, nitroxyl, and peroxynitrite. Due to the high reactivity and cytotoxicity, the buildup of reactive nitrogen can affect the interplay of microorganisms/microbial processes, stimulate the reactions with organic compounds like organic micropollutants (OMP) and act as the precursors of nitrous oxide (NO).

Federated learning for millimeter-wave spectrum in 6G networks: applications, challenges, way forward and open research issues.

The emergence of 6G networks promises ultra-high data rates and unprecedented connectivity. However, the effective utilization of the millimeter-wave (mmWave) as a critical enabler of foreseen potential in 6G, poses significant challenges due to its unique propagation characteristics and security concerns. Deep learning (DL)/machine learning (ML) based approaches emerged as potential solutions; however, DL/ML contains centralization and data privacy issues.

The role of excitation vector fields and all-polarisation state control in cavity magnonics.

Recently the field of cavity magnonics, a field focused on controlling the interaction between magnons and photons confined within microwave resonators, has drawn significant attention as it offers a platform for enabling advancements in quantum- and spin-based technologies. Here, we introduce excitation vector fields, whose polarisation and profile can be easily tuned in a two-port cavity setup, thus acting as an effective experimental dial to explore the coupled dynamics of cavity magnon-polaritons. Moreover, we develop theoretical models that accurately predict and reproduce the experimental results for any polarisation state and field profile within the cavity resonator.

Probiotic-Based Mineralized Living Materials to Produce Antimicrobial Yogurts.

Mineralization of living cells represents an evolutionary adaptation that enhances cellular resilience to physicochemical stress. Inspired by this strategy, we have here developed hybrid living materials (HLMs), incorporating probiotics into mineralized collagen 3D matrices, with the aim of protecting and promoting the successful oral delivery of the bacteria. Collagen fibrils are simultaneously self-assembled and mineralized in the presence of the probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, La, was used as model), resulting in the integration of the probiotics into the hybrid matrix (i.

Artificial intelligence enabled smart mask for speech recognition for future hearing devices.

In recent years, Lip-reading has emerged as a significant research challenge. The aim is to recognise speech by analysing Lip movements. The majority of Lip-reading technologies are based on cameras and wearable devices.

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Biomedical Applications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs).

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have garnered significant attention in biomedical applications due to their unique magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and versatility. This review comprehensively examines the synthesis methods, surface functionalization techniques, and diverse biomedical applications of IONPs. Various chemical and physical synthesis techniques, including coprecipitation, sol-gel processes, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal synthesis, and sonochemical routes, are discussed in detail, highlighting their advantages and limitations.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) of circular consumer electronics based on IC recycling and emerging PCB assembly materials.

As consumer microelectronics become ever more ubiquitous, there are growing concerns about their environmental impact. However, the diversity of designs and components used in modern devices makes a coherent mitigation strategy hard to formulate. In this work, we perform a quantitative life cycle assessment (LCA) of the environmental profiles of both high-value (a smartwatch) and low-value (a TV remote) devices and find that the optimal mitigation strategy varies substantially between these two extremes.

Hollow transition metal chalcogenides derived from vanadium-based metal organic framework for hybrid supercapacitors with excellent energy-density and stability.

In-situ synthesized hollow transition metal chalcogenides have gained significant attention on account of their excellent electrochemical properties. Here, Ni-doped V-MOF (V(Ni)-MOF) nanorod arrays as precursor are first grown on nickel foam (NF). Subsequently, the nanorod arrays are converted into V(NiCo)-OH hollow nanotube arrays with cross-linked nanosheets by Co etching.

Dynamic navigation-guided robotic placement of zygomatic implants.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of a new prototype robotic implant system for the placement of zygomatic implants in edentulous maxillary models.

Methods: The study was carried out on eight plastic models. Cone beam computed tomographs were captured for each model to plan the positions of zygomatic implants.

Optimizing Carbon Structures in Laser-Induced Graphene Electrodes Using Design of Experiments for Enhanced Electrochemical Sensing Characteristics.

In this study, we explored the morphological and electrochemical properties of carbon-based electrodes derived from laser-induced graphene (LIG) and compared them to commercially available graphene-sheet screen-printed electrodes (GS-SPEs). By optimizing the laser parameters (average laser power, speed, and focus) using a design of experiments response surface (DoE-RS) approach, binder-free LIG electrodes were achieved in a single-step process. Traditional trial-and-error methods can be time-consuming and may not capture the interactions between all variables effectively.

On the directionality of membrane coupled Helmholtz resonators under open air conditions.

Controlling the absorption and diffusion of sound in the audible range constitutes an exciting field of research. Acoustic absorbers and diffusers perform extraordinarily well at high frequencies with sizes comparable to the wavelength of the working frequency. Conversely, efficient low-frequency attenuators demand large volumes leading to unpractical sizes, and there is now interest in determining whether the size of the resonator can be reduced while not compromising - or perhaps even decreasing - the working frequency.

RF sensing enabled tracking of human facial expressions using machine learning algorithms.

Automatic analysis of facial expressions has emerged as a prominent research area in the past decade. Facial expressions serve as crucial indicators for understanding human behavior, enabling the identification and assessment of positive and negative emotions. Moreover, facial expressions provide insights into various aspects of mental activities, social connections, and physiological information.

Hatchery type influences the gill microbiome of Atlantic farmed salmon (Salmo salar) after transfer to sea.

Background: Salmon aquaculture involves freshwater and seawater phases. Recently there has been an increase in multifactorial gill health challenges during the seawater phase which has led to an urgent need to understand the gill microbiome. There is a lack of understanding on what drives the composition of the gill microbiome, and the influence the freshwater stage has on its long-term composition.

Microwell-assembled aluminum substrates for enhanced single-cell analysis: A novel approach for cancer cell profiling by Raman spectroscopy.

Single-cell analysis is critical for advancing personalized medicine, as it reveals cell population heterogeneity that influences disease outcomes. We present a microwell-assembled aluminum substrate platform that enhances single-cell Raman spectroscopy in liquid suspension by isolating individual cells and preventing stacking and movement, which significantly improves signal stability and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We applied this novel platform to analyze PC-9 lung cancer cells and BEAS-2B normal bronchial epithelial cells, identifying distinct biochemical differences.

Motion artifact variability in biomagnetic wearable devices.

Motion artifacts can be a significant noise source in biomagnetic measurements when magnetic sensors are not separated from the signal source. In ambient environments, motion artifacts can be up to ten times stronger than the desired signals, varying with environmental conditions. This study evaluates the variability of these artifacts and the effectiveness of a gradiometer in reducing them in such settings.

Site-Selective Nanowire Synthesis and Fabrication of Printed Memristor Arrays with Ultralow Switching Voltages on Flexible Substrate.

Large area electronics (LAE) with the capability to sense and retain information are crucial for advances in applications such as wearables, digital healthcare, and robotics. The big data generated by these sensor-laden systems need to be scaled down or processed locally. In this regard, brain-inspired computing and in-memory computing have attracted considerable interest.