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By examining how economic insecurity as a non-medical factor impacts health and can lead to involvement with child protective services, we provide a view into the shortcomings of our social [...]

Carbon dots (CDs) are luminescent carbon nanoparticles with significant potential in analytical sensing, biomedicine, and energy regeneration due to their remarkable optical, physical, biological, and catalytic properties. In light of the enduring ecological impact of non-biomass waste that persists in the environment, efforts have been made toward converting non-biomass waste, such as ash, waste plastics, textiles, and papers into CDs. This review introduces non-biomass waste carbon sources and classifies them in accordance with the 2022 Australian National Waste Report. The synthesis approaches, including pre-treatment methods, and the properties of the CDs derived from non-biomass waste are comprehensively discussed. Subsequently, we summarize the diverse applications of CDs from non-biomass waste in sensing, information encryption, LEDs, solar cells, and plant growth promotion. In the final section, we delve into the future challenges and perspectives of CDs derived from non-biomass waste, shedding light on the exciting possibilities in this emerging area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk fibroin (SF), a natural protein derived from silkworms, has emerged as a promising biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, degradation rate, and tunable mechanical properties. This review delves into the intrinsic attributes of SF that make it an attractive candidate for scaffold development in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The distinctiveness of this comprehensive review resides in its detailed exploration of recent advancements in the fabrication techniques of SF‐based fibrous scaffolds, namely electrospinning, freeze‐drying, and 3D printing. An in‐depth analysis of these fabrication techniques is conducted to illustrate their versatility in customizing essential scaffold characteristics, such as porosity, fiber diameter, and mechanical strength. The article meticulously discusses process parameters, advantages, and challenges of each fabrication technique, highlighting the innovative advancements made in the respective field. Furthermore, the review goes beyond fabrication techniques to provide an overview of the latest biomedical applications and research endeavors utilizing SF‐derived scaffolds. From nerve regeneration and wound healing to drug delivery, bone regeneration, and vascular tissue engineering, the diverse applications underscore the versatility of SF in adopting various biomedical challenges. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for standardized characterization techniques, scalable manufacturing processes, and long‐term in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous monitoring of implanted vascular implants poses challenges due to the inherent toxicity and instability of contrast agents within the body. The use of biocompatible materials with radiopaque properties offers a solution for continuous monitoring of implanted artificial grafts together with early detection of vascular prosthesis dysfunction, which mitigates the risk of catastrophic failures from leakages or aneurysms. Here, we aimed to develop an artificial vascular graft with enhanced radiopacity to facilitate postsurgery monitoring. To achieve this goal, MXene (Ti3C2 nanosheets) was incorporated into poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanofibers via an electrospinning technique, to enhance radiopacity without compromising biocompatibility. The integration of MXene into the nanofiber resulted in an increase in the hydrophilicity of the samples, leading to enhanced cell attachment. Microcomputed tomography imaging was used to verify the radiopacity properties of the samples, showing excellent contrast characteristics. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of the samples showed that 50 wt % MXene is the optimal concentration, demonstrating no cytotoxic effects. This is due to the encapsulation of MXene inside the PMMA/PDMS nanofibers preventing the interaction of MXene nanosheets with the physiological environment in vitro while maintaining their radiopacity. This approach herein holds promise as a platform for the long-term monitoring of implanted polymeric materials, thereby addressing a critical unmet need in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is one of the alarming issues, which is impacting humans globally. It is preferred to adopt a lifestyle that promotes heat dissipation from the human body. One approach to cool a human body is improvement in personal apparel, which can help the human body to cool quickly. The required characteristic for cooling performance can be achieved by employing materials with excellent thermal conductivity. Nanodiamonds (ND) have exceptional thermal conductivity properties and can help overcome the poor thermal conductivity of fabrics. This manuscript presents a study on a one‐sided coated fabric where NDs are applied to the skin side of the fabric to promote heat dissipation toward the atmosphere while the other side of the fabric, exposed to the hot atmosphere, remains uncoated to delay the transfer of out from atmosphere to human body. ND was applied onto cotton fabric through electrospraying polyurethane (PU) and carboxylated ND (NDCOOH). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy images indicated a homogeneous distribution of the sprayed ND/PU solution over the fabric surface. The samples were chemically analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal resistance was measured by a sweating guarded hot plate (SGHP), which confirmed lower thermal resistance of fabric from the ND‐coated side to atmosphere as compared to control, and thermal resistance from the uncoated to atmosphere was the same for both controlled and treated samples. Similarly, thermal conductivity, radiant heat transfer, and infrared spectroscopy characterizations strengthened the findings of SGHP results. Real‐life simulated experiments were also conducted to verify the performance of developed samples. The electrosprayed samples also showed higher ultraviolet protection than the control sample. Air permeability and moisture absorption of the samples slightly decreased after applying the coating but remained within an acceptable range of comfortability. The developed fabric can promote energy conservation, as it will warm slowly but cool quickly. This allows home or office temperature setpoints for localized cooling to be 2–3°C lower with a projected energy savings between 20% and 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are one of the leading causes of substantial impairment around the globe. Complete recovery of nerve function after an injury is challenging. Currently, autologous nerve grafts are being used as a treatment; however, this has several downsides, for example, donor site morbidity, shortage of donor sites, loss of sensation, inflammation, and neuroma development. The most promising alternative is the development of a nerve guide conduit (NGC) to direct the restoration and renewal of neuronal axons from the proximal to the distal end to facilitate nerve regeneration and maximize sensory and functional recovery. Alternatively, the response of nerve cells to electrical stimulation (ES) has a substantial regenerative effect. The incorporation of electrically conductive biomaterials in the fabrication of smart NGCs facilitates the function of ES throughout the active proliferation state. This article overviews the potency of the various categories of electroactive smart biomaterials, including conductive and piezoelectric nanomaterials, piezoelectric polymers, and organic conductive polymers that researchers have employed latterly to fabricate smart NGCs and their potentiality in future clinical application. It also summarizes a comprehensive analysis of the recent research and advancements in the application of ES in the field of NGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein, which accounts for around 80% of the total protein composition in corn, is a biocompatible and biodegradable substance derived from renewable sources. Although insoluble in water, its amphiphilic characteristics are utilized to generate nanoparticles, nanofibers, microparticles, and even films. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated the potential of zein as a prospective biomaterial to develop fibrous scaffolds for biomedical functions owing to its biocompatibility, fibrous formation, and encapsulating qualities. Fabrication of zein‐based fibrous scaffolds for biomedical applications is achieved by a wide variety of techniques, including electrospinning, wet spinning, freeze drying, and additive manufacturing. This article overviews current advancements in manufacturing techniques for zein‐based fibrous scaffolds. In addition, it summarizes the most recent biomedical applications and research activities utilizing zein‐based fibrous scaffolds. Overall, zein is proposed as a potential biomaterial for the production of fibrous scaffolds that stimulate cell adhesion and proliferation in a number of exciting biomedical applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and other unique features related to its structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people at the intersection of child welfare and immigration face significant challenges to successfully transitioning to adulthood and independence from foster care. This transition is made even more difficult [...]

Polypropylene (PP) based hernia mesh often shows multiple post‐surgery complications due to lack of biocompatibility, poor cell attachment, and unwanted tissue adhesion. These limitations can be addressed by material designing and surface modification of a mesh with side‐specific properties such as the visceral side (facing intestine) with low protein and cell attachment and the parietal side (facing incision) with improved cell attachment properties for normal healing. However, the development of dual‐sided mesh is very challenging because of its porous structure. Herein, a dual‐sided biocompatible mesh with protein anti‐adsorption and cell attachment properties on two different sides is developed by grafting highly hydrophilic 2‐methcryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer (PMPC) on the plasma‐activated visceral side, while the parietal side is coated with bioactive chitosan and functionalized nanodiamond (Chi/FND) using a temporary polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mold. The PMPC‐grafted side demonstrated excellent resistance to protein adsorption (96% reduction compared to PP) and cell attachment. However, the bioactive coating on the parietal side has significantly improved cell attachment and proliferation properties. In addition, both sides confirmed the presence of the respective biomaterials after an accelerated degradation study for 28 days. Hence, the newly developed dual‐sided mesh by semi‐solid polymer mold (SSPM) method is a promising candidate to address the long‐existing multiple issues of hernia mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation examined the association between ethnic identity centrality and peer status for African American adolescents who represented a sizable proportion, yet numerical minority within a high school context. Initial analyses indicated that a traditional sociometric nomination procedure did not adequately characterize peer status for African American adolescents. A modified nomination procedure varying the ethnicity of nominators yielded measures of African American adolescents' peer acceptance/rejection and perceived popularity as rated by African American or European American peers. Results suggest that high levels of peer acceptance and popularity as rated by African American peers were associated with high ethnic identity centrality; however, acceptance and popularity as rated by European American peers were unrelated to ethnic identity centrality among African American adolescents. Findings suggest the importance of examining peer status of African American adolescents with consideration given to ethnicity as a relevant context. (Contains 4 tables.)

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) show remarkable efficiency in removing various contaminants from aqueous systems. Doping ZnO NPs with a second metal element can dramatically change the physicochemical properties of the pristine nanoparticles. However, there have been limited reports on the absorption of doped ZnO NPs, especially comparing the performance of ZnO NPs with different doping elements. Herein, ZnO NPs were doped with three transitional metals (Co, Fe, and Mn) at a nominal 2 wt.%. The particle surface had a higher dopant concentration than the interior for all NPs, implying the migration of the dopants to the surface. Because doping atoms inhibited grain growth, the doped ZnO NPs had a small particle size and a large surface area. The adsorption performance followed the order of Fe-doped < undoped < Mn-doped < Co-doped ZnO. Co-doped ZnO had an increased surface area and less tendency to agglomerate in an aqueous solution, showing the best adsorption performance. The adsorption of Congo red (CR) on Co-doped ZnO followed the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption process was spontaneous through monolayer chemisorption, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 230 mg/g. Finally, the Co-doped ZnO was successfully incorporated into an alginate membrane by electrospinning. The membrane demonstrated excellent adsorption performance and had great potential as an innovative and low-cost adsorbent (inexpensive raw materials and simple processing) for wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of textile fabric waste, namely Kevlar, Nomex, and Cordura Nylon, were investigated in this study. The effects of the fiber parameters: volume fraction (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%), length (6, 12, and 24 mm), and use of 1D fiber (width of 0) versus 2D woven fabric fiber (width of 3 and 6 mm) on strength properties, flowability, and shrinkage were studied to determine the optimum textile parameters. The pore structure, microstructure, and fiber-matrix interfacial properties of the optimised mixtures were then characterized by means of X-ray micro-CT, SEM, and nanoindentation at 7, 28, and 90 days. Results showed that the optimized parameters for three types of fabric fibers are 1D fiber (width of 0), length of 12 mm, and volume fraction of 0.3%. This optimized design provided an enhancement of strength and shrinkage resistance. Pore refinement was pronounced in the case of hydrophilic Kevlar and Nomex fibers. However, this also correlates to inferior performance in shrinkage resistance of mortar compared to hydrophobic Cordura Nylon. The fiber-matrix ITZ thickness was dependent on fiber size, while the wettability of fibers (i.e., hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity) was observed to affect the phase distribution in the vicinity of the fiber surface. Furthermore, a large volumetric proportion of the structure is porous in nature (more than 50%) in the region of the fiber-matrix interface after 7 days. With the increment of curing age, the microstructure at the fiber interface becomes denser due to the hydration of the clinker phase facilitating the growth of CSH and CH phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carpet waste fibers--namely, polypropylene (PP) and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) in the form of mono microfibers and hybrid combinations--were studied. The optimization of mono fiber parameters for fiber content (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5%) and length (6, 12, and 24 mm [0.236, 0.742, and 0.945 in.]) were conducted to achieve the optimum strength properties and minimize drying shrinkage. The microstructure, pore structure, and fiber-matrix interfacial properties of the optimized samples were characterized at 7, 28, and 90 days by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT), and nanoindentation. The research data revealed that the inclusion of either the optimized mono PP fiber (υf = 0.5% and l = 12 mm [0.472 in.]) or PTT fiber (υf = 0.1% and l = 12 mm [0.472 in.]) improved the compressive strength of 4.3% and 16.1%, and the flexural strength by 11.5% and 9.2% at 28 days, respectively. Hybrid carpet fibers (0.4% PP + 0.1% PTT) provided a greater enhancement in compressive strength of 6.6%, and flexural strength by 13% at 28 days. Drying shrinkage mitigation of mortar over 120 days was recorded as 18.4, 22.3, and 25.8%, corresponding to the addition of 0.5% PP fibers, 0.1% PTT fibers, and hybrid PP/PTT carpet fibers. A pore-refining effect was also observed for mortars with 0.5% PP and hybrid PP/PTT carpet microfibers. The SEM images indicated that the trilobal cross-sectional shape of PTT carpet fibers had a stronger anchoring effect with cement hydrates than the rounded shape of PP carpet fibers. Nanoindentation identified the thickness of the fiber-matrix interfacial transition zone (ITZ) as approximately 15 µm (5.9 × 10-4 in.) for both mono PP and PTT fibers. Approximately 50% of the phases in the vicinity of the fiber-matrix interface comprised a porous structure at 7 days. However, the hydration of clinker over the 90-day period promoted the formation of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) and portlandite to form a dense microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work describes the design, manufacturing, and user interface of a thin-film gas transducer platform that is able to provide real-time detection of toxic vapor. This proof-of-concept system has applications in the field of real-time detection of hazardous gaseous agents that are harmful to the person exposed to the environment. The small-size gas sensor allows for integration with an unmanned aerial vehicle, thus combining high-level mobility with the ability for the real-time detection of hazardous/toxic chemicals or use as a standalone system in industries that deal with harmful gaseous substances. The sensor was designed based on the ability of thin-film metal oxide sensors to detect chlorine gas in real time. Specifically, a concentration of 10 ppm of Cl2 was tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cooling textiles has a significant impact on energy saving and cost‐effectiveness in the context of global warming. Engineering textiles with cooling performance while maintaining their intrinsic traits, for example, lightweight, washable, comfort, and durability, is a great challenge in developing personal cooling garments. Here, the synthesis of nanodiamond/polydopamine/wool (ND‐PDA‐wool) nanocomposites through a facile dip‐coating approach is demonstrated. Different types of ND including detonation ND (DND), carboxylated ND (ND‐COOH) and hydroxylated ND (ND‐OH), are used, and dopamine templating is applied to achieve strong adhesion and bonding between fiber and ND. The morphology, structure, and properties of the as‐coated fabrics are characterized, and the cooling performance together with comfort are measured. Due to the excellent thermal conductivity of ND, the temperature difference between the coated fabrics and uncoated ones is around 2.4–3.9 °C within a short time span of 30 min. The coated ND‐PDA‐Wool fabrics demonstrated enhanced thermal stability and improved mechanical properties with excellent durability, and the water absorbency is greatly enhanced with well‐maintained air permeability. ND‐PDA‐wool composite fabrics offer a strategy to develop durable, lightweight, washable, and comfortable cooling textiles with immense potential in energy saving and reducing space cooling costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallium and its alloys, such as eutectic gallium indium alloy (EGaIn), a form of liquid metal, have recently attracted the attention of researchers due to their low toxicity and electrical and thermal conductivity for biomedical application. However, further research is required to harness EGaIn‐composites advantages and address their application as a biomedical scaffold. In this research, EGaIn‐polylactic acid/polycaprolactone composites with and without a second conductive filler, MXene, were prepared and characterized. The addition of MXene, into the EGaIn‐composite, can improve the composite's electrochemical properties by connecting the liquid metal droplets resulting in electrically conductive continuous pathways within the polymeric matrix. The results showed that the composite with 50% EGaIn and 4% MXene, displayed optimal electrochemical properties and enhanced mechanical and radiopacity properties. Furthermore, the composite showed good biocompatibility, examined through interactions with fibroblast cells, and antibacterial properties against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, the liquid metal (EGaIn) polymer composite with MXene provides a first proof‐of‐concept engineering scaffold strategy with low toxicity, functional electrochemical properties, and promising antimicrobial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]