Water Absorption of Underwater Products by Additive Manufacturing.

Rapid prototyping techniques offer significant advantages in terms of fabrication speed, accessibility, and low cost. This study explores the use of low-cost stereolithographic resins to produce prototypes intended for underwater conditions. The objective is to evaluate the feasibility of different low-cost resin brands by identifying their water absorption percentage and their response in terms of appearance and deformation after prolonged exposure to an underwater environment.

Synergistic Integration of α-AgWO into PLA/PBAT for the Development of Electrospun Membranes: Advancing Structural Integrity and Antimicrobial Efficacy.

The rising resistance of various pathogens and the demand for materials that prevent infections drive the need to develop broad-spectrum antimicrobial membranes capable of combating a range of microorganisms, thereby enhancing safety in biomedical and industrial applications. Herein, we introduce a simple and efficient technique to engineer membranes composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) biopolymers and α-AgWO particles using an electrospinning technique. The corresponding structural, thermal, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties were characterized.

Multilayer Film Comprising Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate and Cellulose Nanocrystals with High Barrier and Compostable Properties.

In the present study, a multilayer, high-barrier, thin blown film based on a polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) blend with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and composed of four layers including a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) barrier layer and an electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) hot-tack layer, was characterized in terms of the surface roughness, surface tension, migration, mechanical and peel performance, barrier properties, and disintegration rate. The results showed that the film exhibited a smooth surface. The overall migration tests showed that the material is suitable to be used as a food contact layer.

GPS Suitability for Physical Frailty Assessment.

The ageing of the population needs the automation of patient monitoring. The objective of this is twofold: to improve care and reduce costs. Frailty, as a state of increased vulnerability resulting from several diseases, can be seen as a pandemic for older people.

Recent advances in the relationships between biofilms and microplastics in natural environments.

Plastic pollution in the form of microplastics (MPs), poses a significant threat to natural ecosystems, with detrimental ecological, social, and economic impacts. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the existing research on the interaction between microbial biofilms and MPs in natural environments. The review begins by outlining the sources and types of MPs, emphasizing their widespread presence in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems.

On the Unique Morphology and Elastic Properties of Multi-Jet Electrospun Cashew Gum-Based Fiber Mats.

This study investigates the unique morphology and mechanical properties of multi-jet electrospun cashew gum (CG) when combined with high-molecular-weight polyethylene oxide (PEO) and glycerol. Cashew gum (CG) is a low-cost, non-toxic heteropolysaccharide derived from trees. Initially, the electrospinnability of aqueous solutions of cashew gum alone or in combination with PEO was evaluated.

Enabling white color tunability in complex 3D-printed composites by using lead-free self-trapped exciton 2D perovskite/carbon quantum dot inks.

The generation of stable white light emission using lead-free perovskites remains a huge challenge in the development of future display and lighting technologies, due to fast material deterioration and the decrease of the color quality. In this work, we report a combination of diverse types of 2D ASnX (A = bulky cation, X = Br, I) perovskites exhibiting self-trapped exciton (STE) emission and blue luminescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs), with the purpose of generating ASnX/CQD inks with a broadband emission in the visible region and a tunable white light color. By varying the concentration of the 2D perovskite, the white emission of the mixtures is modulated to cool, neutral, and warm tonalities, with a PL quantum yield up to 45%.

Development of Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Electrospun Yarns of Application Interest as Antimicrobial Surgical Suture Materials.

Surgical site infections (SSI) occur very frequently during post-operative procedures and are often treated with oral antibiotics, which may cause some side effects. This type of infection could be avoided by encapsulating antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory drugs within the surgical suture materials so that they can more efficiently act on the site of action during wound closure, avoiding post-operative bacterial infection and spreading. This work was aimed at developing novel electrospun bio-based anti-infective fibre-based yarns as novel suture materials for preventing surgical site infections.

[Impact of the pandemic on various infectious diseases with different epidemiological patterns of seasonality, transmission and age].

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on other infectious diseases. The aim of this paper was to analyze the epidemiological changes that occurred during the pandemic in eight infectious diseases with different epidemiological patterns: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, pneumococcus, , non-typhoid , gonorrhea and herpes zoster.

Methods: From the Microbiological Surveillance Network, the time series of cases was traced from January 2017 to March 2023.

Improving the Antibacterial Properties of Dental Bonding Materials Loaded with Silver Compounds.

Biofilm accumulation, the appearance of white spot lesions and the development of secondary caries are the main complications in orthodontic patients. A promising approach to fight this situation is the development of adhesive cements with improved antibacterial properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of improving the antibacterial properties of glass ionomer cements by incorporating different types of antimicrobial compounds without altering their physical and mechanical properties.

Impact of core-shell perovskite nanocrystals for LED applications: successes, challenges, and prospects.

Perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) synthesized by colloidal solution methods are an outstanding case of study due to their remarkable optical features, different from their bulk counterpart, such as a tuneable band gap and narrower photoluminescence emission, altered by the size and shape. However, the stability of these systems needs to be improved to consolidate their application in optoelectronic devices. Improved PeNC quality is associated with a less defective structure, as it affects negatively the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), due to the essential, but at the same time labile interaction between the colloidal capping ligands and the perovskite core.

Microbiological Characterization of the Biofilms Colonizing Bioplastics in Natural Marine Conditions: A Comparison between PHBV and PLA.

Biodegradable polymers offer a potential solution to marine pollution caused by plastic waste. The marine biofilms that formed on the surfaces of poly(lactide acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were studied. Bioplastics were exposed for 6 months to marine conditions in the Mediterranean Sea, and the biofilms that formed on their surfaces were assessed.

Allelic variation in the indoleacetic acid-lysine synthase gene of the bacterial pathogen and its role in auxin production.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production is a pathogenicity/virulence factor in the complex, including . pathovars (pvs.) genomes contain the gene, encoding an enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of the less biologically active compound 3-indole-acetyl-ϵ-L-lysine (IAA-Lys).

Effect of the Presence of Lignin from Woodflour on the Compostability of PHA-Based Biocomposites: Disintegration, Biodegradation and Microbial Dynamics.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) has gained attention as a possible substitute for conventional polymers that could be integrated into the organic recycling system. Biocomposites with 15% of pure cellulose (TC) and woodflour (WF) were prepared to analyze the role of lignin on their compostability (58 °C) by tracking the mass loss, CO evolution, and the microbial population. Realistic dimensions for typical plastic products (400 µm films), as well as their service performance (thermal stability, rheology), were taken into account in this hybrid study.

Emerging Hyalomma lusitanicum: From identification to vectorial role and integrated control.

In the Mediterranean basin, the tick species Hyalomma lusitanicum Koch stands out among other species of the Hyalomma genus due to its wide distribution, and there is great concern about its potential role as a vector and/or reservoir and its continuous expansion to new areas because of climate warming and human and other animal movements. This review aims to consolidate all the information on H. lusitanicum, including taxonomy and evolution, morphological and molecular identification, life cycle, sampling methods, rearing under laboratory conditions, ecology, hosts, geographical distribution, seasonality, vector role and control methods.

Electrospun Multilayered Films Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate), Copolyamide 1010/1014, and Electrosprayed Nanostructured Silica.

In this research, bio-based electrospun multilayered films for food packaging applications with good barrier properties and close to superhydrophobic behavior were developed. For this purpose, two different biopolymers, a low-melting point and fully bio-based synthetic aliphatic copolyamide 1010/1014 (PA1010/1014) and the microbially synthesized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and food-contact-complying organomodified silica (SiO) nanostructured microparticles, were processed by electrospinning. The production of the multilayer structure was finally obtained by means of a thermal post-treatment, with the aim to laminate all of the components by virtue of the so-called interfiber coalescence process.

Development and Characterization of Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Biopapers Containing Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Active Food Packaging Applications.

Food quality is mainly affected by oxygen through oxidative reactions and the proliferation of microorganisms, generating changes in its taste, odor, and color. The work presented here describes the generation and further characterization of films with active oxygen scavenging properties made of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) loaded with cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) obtained by electrospinning coupled to a subsequent annealing process, which could be used as coating or interlayer in a multilayer concept for food packaging applications. The aim of this work is to explore the capacities of these novel biopolymeric composites in terms of O scavenging capacity, as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial, barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties.

Polymeric ionic liquid-based formulations for the fabrication of highly stable perovskite nanocrystal composites for photocatalytic applications.

Halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have emerged as potential visible-light photocatalysts because of their outstanding intrinsic properties, including high absorption coefficient and tolerance to defects, which reduces non-radiative recombination, and high oxidizing/reducing power coming from their tuneable band structure. Nevertheless, their sensitivity to humidity, light, heat and water represents a great challenge that limits their applications in solar driven photocatalytic applications. Herein, we demonstrate the synergistic potential of embedding PNCs into polymeric ionic liquids () to fabricate suitable composites for photodegradation of organic dyes.

4E analysis of a two-stage refrigeration system through surrogate models based on response surface methods and hybrid grey wolf optimizer.

Refrigeration systems are complex, non-linear, multi-modal, and multi-dimensional. However, traditional methods are based on a trial and error process to optimize these systems, and a global optimum operating point cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, this work aims to study a two-stage vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS) through a novel and robust hybrid multi-objective grey wolf optimizer (HMOGWO) algorithm.

Advanced Formulations Based on Poly(ionic liquid) Materials for Additive Manufacturing.

Innovation in materials specially formulated for additive manufacturing is of great interest and can generate new opportunities for designing cost-effective smart materials for next-generation devices and engineering applications. Nevertheless, advanced molecular and nanostructured systems are frequently not possible to integrate into 3D printable materials, thus limiting their technological transferability. In some cases, this challenge can be overcome using polymeric macromolecules of ionic nature, such as polymeric ionic liquids (PILs).

Biodegradable blends from bacterial biopolyester PHBV and bio-based PBSA: Study of the effect of chain extender on the thermal, mechanical and morphological properties.

Being aware of the global problem of plastic pollution, our society is claiming new bioplastics to replace conventional polymers. Balancing their mechanical performance is required to increase their presence in the market. Brittleness of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) was attempted to be decreased by melt blending with flexible starch-based poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA).

2D PEASnI Inkjet-Printed Halide Perovskite LEDs on Rigid and Flexible Substrates.

Lead-free PEASnI-based perovskite LEDs are successfully inkjet-printed on rigid and flexible substrates. Red-emitting devices (λ = 633 nm) exhibit, under ambient conditions, a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1% with a related brightness of 30 cd/m at 10 mA/cm.

Rational Design of Carbon Nitride Photoelectrodes with High Activity Toward Organic Oxidations.

Carbon nitride (CN ) is a light-absorber with excellent performance in photocatalytic suspension systems, but the activity of CN photoelectrodes has remained low. Here, cyanamide-functionalized CN ( CN ) was co-deposited with ITO nanoparticles on a 1.8 Å thick alumina-coated FTO electrode.

Cytotoxic Effects Caused by Functionalized Carbon Nanotube in Murine Macrophages.

Background/aims: The development of new nanomaterials has been growing in recent decades to bring benefits in several areas, especially carbon-based nanoparticles, which have unique physical-chemical properties and allow to take on several applications. Consequently, the use of new nanomaterials without previous toxicological studies raises concern about possible harmful health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic profile of a new multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) functionalized with tetraethylenepentamine called OCNT-TEPA using in vitro assays in murine macrophage cells linage J774 A.

Development and Characterization of Fully Renewable and Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoate Blends with Improved Thermoformability.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-valerate) (PHBV), being one of the most studied and commercially available polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), presents an intrinsic brittleness and narrow processing window that currently hinders its use in several plastic applications. The aim of this study was to develop a biodegradable PHA-based blend by combining PHBV with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), another copolyester of the PHA family that shows a more ductile behavior. Blends of PHBV with 20% wt.