Propargylic-linked [5]helicene derivative for selective Au detection in near-perfect aqueous media with applications in diverse real samples, paper test strips, and human cells.

Gold is classified as a heavy metal, and its ion (Au) can manifest adverse impacts on ecological and human health. Thus, an effective method for Au detection is highly required. In this work, a new [5]helicene-based fluorescence sensor (M202P) was synthesized and applied for Au monitoring in near-perfect aqueous media.

Effects of Partially Filled EPS Foam on Compressive Behavior of Aluminum Hexagonal Honeycombs.

This study investigates the compressive behavior of aluminum honeycombs partially filled with expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, emphasizing the effects of filler area fractions and vertex contact locations on energy absorption and crush characteristics. Axial quasi-static compression tests evaluated energy absorption, mean crush force, specific energy absorption, and crush force efficiency. Results revealed that partially filled honeycombs significantly enhance energy absorption and mean crush force compared to their unfilled counterparts.

Fabrication of mycelium (oyster mushroom)-based composites derived from spent coffee grounds with pineapple fibre reinforcement.

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are eco-friendly materials made by combining mushroom mycelia with lignocellulosic biomass, offering diverse applications such as packaging and construction. The specific characteristics of MBCs can be significantly influenced by the choice of substrates and reinforcing materials during myco-fabrication. This study aims to improve MBCs sourced from (oyster mushroom) using spent coffee grounds (SCGs) as the main substrate, combined with natural pineapple fibres (NPFs).

Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation.

Background: Placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) have gained a lot of attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their availability and bone-forming capacity. However, the osteogenic differentiation capacity of these cells remains inconsistent and could be improved to achieve greater efficiency. Although metformin, a widely used oral hypoglycemic agent, has been shown to increase bone formation in various cell types, its effect on osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs has not yet been investigated.

Pineapple stem starch-based films incorporated with pineapple leaf carbon dots as functional filler for active food packaging applications.

Pineapple leaf waste, a byproduct of agricultural processes, was used as a novel raw material to synthesize carbon dots (CDs) through a simple hydrothermal method. The CDs were subsequently incorporated into pineapple stem starch (PSS)-based active food packaging films. The characterization of the CDs and PSS-CDs films was conducted using various techniques, including UV-light spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

Comparison between local-made and imported porous polyethylene orbital implant: a randomized controlled equivalence trial and multicenter study.

Aim: To compare the exposure rate, infection rate, percentage of enhancement, and success rate between Medpor and the three-dimensional printed polyethylene (3DP-PE) orbital implant in a preliminary report.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, equivalence, controlled trial was conducted at two institutes. The equivalent margin was ±10%.

Process Development for Fabricating 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone-Infiltrated Hydroxyapatite Bone Graft Granules: Effects of Infiltrated Solution Concentration and Agitating Liquid.

Bone grafts are commonly used in orthopedic and dental surgeries to facilitate bone repair and regeneration. A new type of bone graft, polycaprolactone-infiltrated three dimensionally printed hydroxyapatite (3DP HA/PCL), was previously developed by infiltrating polycaprolactone (PCL) into preformed three-dimensional-printed hydroxyapatite (3DP HA) that was fabricated using binder jetting technology combined with a low-temperature phase transformation process. However, when producing small granules, which are often used for bone grafting, issues of granule agglomeration emerged, complicating the application of this method.

An Assessment of Biodegradability and Phytotoxicity of Natural Rubber in a Simulated Soil Condition via CO Evolution Measurement.

In this study, the biodegradation of various natural rubber (NR) samples, i.e., neat NR and NR filled with two different curative contents was investigated under a long-term simulated soil condition at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C in accordance with ISO 17556.

Influence of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Plasma Arc-Welded 316 Stainless Steel.

This study investigates the effects of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the microstructures and mechanical properties of plasma arc-welded 316 stainless steel. The experimental parameters included the solid solution temperatures of 650 °C and 1050 °C, solid solution durations of 1 h and 4 h, and quenching media of water and air. The mechanical properties were evaluated using Vickers hardness testing, tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical microscopy (OM).

The development of resin-coating materials for enhancing elemental release of coated glass ionomer cements.

This study aimed to develop resin coatings containing monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), Sr/F-doped bioactive glass (Sr/F-BAGs), and pre-reacted glass ionomer fillers (SPG) that enhance ion release without detrimentally affecting the mechanical properties of GIC. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of monomer conversion (DC), biaxial flexural strength, surface microhardness, and ion release of the GICs coated with experimental coating materials compared to a commercial product (EQUIA Coat, EC). Four experimental resin coating materials containing 10-20 wt% of MCPM with Sr/F-BAGs and 5-10 wt% SPG were prepared.

Photocatalytic removals of imidacloprid insecticide in TiO- and FeO-immobilized porous geopolymer granules.

In this study, geopolymer catalysts were synthesized by incorporating different TiO (0, 7, and 14 wt%) and FeO content (0, 7, 14, and 20 wt%) into porous metakaolin-based geopolymer granules. TiO- and FeO-immobilized geopolymer granules were applied for photocatalytic removals of imidacloprid under UV-C irradiation. The analysis of the surface morphology of the FeO catalyst revealed its larger surface area predominated with meso- and macro-pores thus providing a larger area for photocatalysis.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Mangrove rehabilitation: A novel approach for sustainable coastal management.

We used UAV-LiDAR technology and other advanced remote sensing techniques to evaluate mangrove rehabilitation projects along the eroding shoreline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand. Our results delineate the necessary biophysical conditions for successfully rehabilitating mangroves, establishing optimal conditions under which mangroves can naturally re-establish and thrive. Furthermore, we investigated the effectiveness of different coastal defense structures in fostering mangrove recolonization.

Effects of dispersing media on the rheological and tribological properties of basil seed mucilage-based thickened liquids.

The development of thickening powders for the management of dysphagia is imperative due to the rapid growth of aging population and prevalence of the dysphagia. One promising thickening agent that can be used to formulate dysphagia diets is basil seed mucilage (BSM). This work investigates the effects of dispersing media, including water, milk, skim milk, and apple juice, on the rheological and tribological properties of the BSM-thickened liquids.

Self-Formation of Lignin Particles Through Melt-Extrusion for Active Biodegradable Food Packaging.

This study presents a method for the self-formation of lignin particles within a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix during melt-extrusion, eliminating the need for separation and drying steps typically associated with submicro-size lignin particles. This method effectively mitigates the problem of agglomeration often associated with the drying step. Softwood kraft lignin, guaiacyl lignin (GL-lignin), was dissolved in low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and was introduced into a twin-screw extruder using a liquid feeder.

Cs and Br tuning to achieve ultralow-hysteresis and high-performance indoor triple cation perovskite solar cell with low-cost carbon-based electrode.

With high efficacy for electron-photon conversion under low light, perovskite materials show great potential for indoor solar cell applications to power small electronics for internet of things (IoTs). To match the spectrum of an indoor LED light source, triple cation perovskite composition was varied to adjust band gap values via Cs and Br tuning. However, increased band gaps lead to morphology, phase instability, and defect issues.

Application of Tamarind Shell as a Green Additive in Natural Rubber.

The feasibility of using tamarind shell as an eco-friendly additive in natural rubber (NR) was studied. Tamarind shell powder (TSP) was prepared with different particle size ranges before being characterized by various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, etc. The results of the FTIR and elemental analysis confirmed that TSP was mainly composed of amino acids (proteins), celluloses, and tannins.

Novel and Reusable Graphene Oxide-Coated Reticulated Open-Cell Mullite Foams for Methylene Blue Dye Adsorption.

Reticulated open-cell mullite (ROM) foams coated with graphene oxide (GO) multilayers as novel and reusable composites (ROM/GO) were first fabricated and functionalized to remove methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. In this study, the ROM foams were produced via a replica technique utilizing rice husk as a starting raw material of silica (SiO) mixed with commercially available alumina (AlO) in the step of slurry preparation. GO was synthesized by a modification of Hummer's method and dispersed in a fixed weight ratio in an aqueous solution.

Green magnetic carbon/alginate biocomposite beads from iron scrap waste for efficient removal of textile dye and heavy metal.

The circular economy can help enhance the value of industrial waste and remediate the environment. This study considers the application of iron scrap from steel production as a free resource to produce magnetic adsorbent beads to remove methylene blue dye and lead (II) ions from wastewater. Composite beads were prepared by incorporating iron scrap and activated carbon into a calcium alginate gel using a simple 'mix and drop' synthesis.

New visible-light-driven BiMoO/CsSbBr heterostructure for selective photocatalytic oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde.

Herein, new BiMoO/CsSbBr heterostructure (BiMo/CSB) was investigated for the first time as a visible-light-driven photocatalyst for C(sp)-H bond activation using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant and toluene as a model substrate. The optimized BiMo/CSB photocatalyst exhibited enhanced toluene oxidation activity (2,346 μmol gh), which was almost two- and five-fold that of pristine CSB (1,165 μmol gh) and BiMo (482 μmol gh), respectively. The improved photocatalytic performance was essentially attributed to the formation of staggered band energy lineup in the BiMo/CSB hybrid, which promoted S-scheme charge transfer across the BiMo/CSB heterointerface as supported by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), density functional theoretical (DFT), time-resolve photoluminescence (TRPL), and photoelectrochemical studies.

Efficiency of TiO particle-coated filter using different binders in carbendazim degradation from Chinese chives.

Dip-coating TiO (Degussa P25) onto the glass-fiber pre-filter using different binders (PEG1000, 2000, 4000, 6000, and Duramax B1000) for carbendazim degradation in Chinese chives was studied. To investigate the effects of binder types, TiO concentration was fixed at 1 % w/v, and amounts of binders were varied in a range of 0.3 to 1 wt% based on the TiO content.

Characterization and Application in Natural Rubber of Leaf and Its Extracted Products.

is a fast-growing tree in the legume family. Its leaf contains a significant amount of protein and is thus widely used as fodder for cattle. To broaden its application in the rubber field, the effects of leaf powder and its extracted products on the cure characteristics and mechanical properties of natural rubber were investigated.

Fiber Melt Spinning and Thermo-Stabilization of Para-Rubber Wood Lignin: An Approach for Fully Biomass Precursor Preparation.

Para-rubber wood (PRW) lignin, extracted from agricultural waste, was successfully melt-spun to fibers and thermo-stabilized without employing auxiliary additives. P NMR analysis revealed that PRW-lignin contained mainly a syringyl unit of phenolic C-substituted OH group, which enabled melt flow during fiber spinning, as well as a guaiacyl unit which offered the ability to cross-link during thermo-stabilization. Thermo-stabilized fibers with no fusion were achieved at 250 °C with the heating rate of 0.

Robust perovskite formation via vacuum thermal annealing for indoor perovskite solar cells.

Perovskite materials are fascinating candidates for the next-generation solar devices. With long charge carrier lifetime, metal-halide perovskites are known to be good candidates for low-light harvesting. To match the irradiance spectra of indoor light, we configured a triple-cation perovskite material with appropriate content of bromide and chloride (FAMACsPb(IBrCl)) to achieve an optimum band gap (E) of [Formula: see text]1.

Assessment of Mechanical/Chemical Properties and Cytotoxicity of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cements Containing Sr/F-Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles and Methacrylate Functionalized Polyacids.

This study prepared low-toxicity, elemental-releasing resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs). The effect of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA, 0 or 5 wt%) and Sr/F-bioactive glass nanoparticles (Sr/F-BGNPs, 5 or 10 wt%) on chemical/mechanical properties and cytotoxicity were examined. Commercial RMGIC (Vitrebond, VB) and calcium silicate cement (Theracal LC, TC) were used as comparisons.

Efficacy and Safety of Antibiotic Impregnated Microporous Nanohydroxyapatite Beads for Chronic Osteomyelitis Treatment: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Prospective Cohort Study.

Chronic osteomyelitis is still a serious health problem that causes disabling conditions and has an impact on the quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of localized antibiotics delivery via impregnated microporous nanohydroxyapatite (nHA-ATB) beads for chronic osteomyelitis treatment. A total of 62 patients were enrolled in this study.