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In this study, α‐glucosidase was successfully immobilized on cellulose filter paper and further applied to screening inhibitors from traditional Chinese medicines combined with capillary electrophoresis analysis. For α‐glucosidase immobilization, a cellulose filter paper was used as the carrier and grafted with amino groups by coating chitosan, then α‐glucosidase was covalently bonded on the amino‐modified carrier via epoxy ring‐opening reaction using polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether as the crosslinker. Several parameters influencing the enzyme immobilization were optimized and the optimal values were enzyme concentration of 4 U/mL, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether concentration of 1.25%, chitosan concentration of 7.5 mg/mL, immobilization pH 7.0, crosslinking time of 4 h and immobilization time of 2 h. The immobilized α‐glucosidase exhibited good batch‐to‐batch reproducibility (RSD = 2.1%, n = 5), excellent storage stability (73.5% of its initial activity after being stored at 4°C for 15 days), and reusability (75% of its initial activity after 10 repeated cycles). The Michaelis constant of immobilized α‐glucosidase and half‐maximal inhibitory concentration of acarbose were calculated to be 1.12 mM and 0.38 μM, respectively. Finally, the immobilized α‐glucosidase was used for screening inhibitors from 14 kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine extracts, and Sanguisorbae Radix showed the strongest inhibitory effect on α‐glucosidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common tissue paper manufacturing trends aim at partial or total replacement of softwood pulp with hardwood pulp for its production, such as bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp (BEKP), in order to optimize the process and the final product properties such as softness. However, the use of a single type of hardwood fiber results in lower strengths of both wet and dry webs. To maintain necessary strength and desired properties, the incorporation of several additives is often required. In this context, low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) and different wet strength resins, such as polyamideamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) and glyoxalated polyacrylamide (GPAM) resins, were combined to achieve an innovated product with improved properties. In particular, wet and dry tensile strength was significantly improved when combining PEG and wet strength resins, especially observed in tissue papers prepared with PAE resin, high-charge cationic agent and bulk applied aqueous PEG solution. Noteworthy that water absorption capacity and softness of tissue paper were not critically affected by PEG incorporation, regardless of application method used (in bulk or by spray). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oleasters are olive genotypes that range from wild to feral. They are tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses and are easily propagated. This study aims to increase the variability of olive trees by somatic hybridization of protoplasts from cultivated olive trees with those from oleasters. Firstly, protoplast isolation of Algerian olive varieties 'Chemlal' and 'Azaradj' and oleaster rootstock was studied. Of all the cell wall–digesting enzymes tested, the combination of 1.5% driselase and 0.05% pectolyase was optimal for protoplast yield, regardless of variety. In general, callus explants gave the best protoplast yields compared to mesophyll tissue. Chemical fusion was performed with polyethylene glycol (PEG 1540). The obtained protoplasts were cultured in different systems with modified Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 90 g L−1 mannitol and 10 g L−1 sucrose, auxins, and cytokinins. Cell divisions and microcolonies of microcalluses took place in liquid culture, solid and liquid culture, and in a culture system that was composed of filter paper discs immersed in liquid medium but not in agarose beads in which the protoplasts were embedded and surrounded by liquid culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We design a facile strategy to manufacture a high-performance composite of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) made from brown paper and PVC film. Brown paper with little fiber damage is prepared using bamboo pulping via a moderate method, and a high content of lignin enhances the lipophilicity of the fibers. The "layer-network" porous paper provides "green" framework support. When hot and cold pressing of the stacks of paper sheets and PVC films is performed, PVC resin fills the pores of the framework support, and then, strong mechanical interlocking structures are established, similar to the vastly distributed microscale "mortise riveting". Then, a dense and lightweight paper/PVC composite is produced. The composite exhibits strong mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength (132.65 MPa), flexural strength (183.45 MPa), flexural modulus (10.44 GPa), and internal bonding strength (2.6 MPa), with good thermal stability and flame resistance. The strength is 5- to 10-fold that of commercial artificial boards, substantially surpassing that of bamboo, PVC, and other PVC composite resin profiles. Additionally, PVC replaces adhesives that contain or release formaldehyde, and a high percentage (>60 wt%) of green cellulose fibers is used. The simple technology directly uses existing manufacturing methods of papermaking, film stretching, and press laminating systems. Therefore, the high-performance paper/PVC composite is environmentally sustainable and more cost-effective than PVC composites prepared with other fillers. The new materials have great potential prospects for the development of high-strength materials and the implementation of carbon neutrality in prefabricated houses, furniture, vehicles, ships, containers, and color steel plates. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Integration and storage of bioactive reagents is an important and challenging task in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs). Here, we developed a convenient and universal method to store proteins and preserve their activities in μPADs by using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPs) evolved film. A polyethylene glycol (PEG)–dextran (DEX) double-layer film was formed through dehydration of ATPs. Functional biomolecules were stored in the bottom DEX layer on the basis of the biased partitioning and rehydrated conveniently by simple addition of buffer solution at usage. As a demonstration, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) of carcinoembryonic antigen was performed successfully on μPAD integrated with antibodies. Even after 104 days of storage at 4 °C and ambient conditions, the EIA signal just lost less than 10% and 30%, which meet the storage requirements of invitro diagnosis reagents. The ATPs evolved double-layer film has double functions of stabilization and insulation, and provide a high efficiency of biomolecule preservation, thereby promoting the applications of μPADs in POC diagnostic assay. We present a universal and high efficient biomolecules preservation technique using the PEG-DEX ATPs evolved double-layer film for paper based microdevice. [Display omitted] • Antibodies and enzyme were integrated on the paper based microdevice using the ATPs evolved double-layer film. • Signals of μPADs with integrated immuno-reagents were maintained more than 90% after 104 days of storage at 4 °C conditions. • This protein storing method possessed simple operation, high compatibility, and high efficiency in preserving biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Document dating is an important and challenging task in the field of forensic science. With the development of analytical techniques, related methods are emerging for document dating studies. Desorption electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (DESI‐MS) is an ambient ionization‐MS technique that has been applied in the forensic discrimination of inks. This study focused on utilizing DESI‐MS to distinguish between ink entries of different ages. Blue ballpoint ink and black gel ink samples were artificially aged by heat and light exposure and then screened by DESI‐MS in the positive ion mode, with a methanol–water‐formic acid solution (90:10:0.1%, v/v/v) as the desorption solvent. As a result, the artificially aged ink samples were directly differentiated from the reference ones in the chemical images of age‐dependent compounds such as basic dyes or polyethylene glycol derivatives. The amount of ethoxylated fatty amine surfactants in copy paper was also found to decrease after artificial aging. Moreover, this method enabled us to visualize the differences between the composition of naturally aged and fresh ink samples. It has been proven to cause no apparent destruction of the samples. The identification of chronological changes in document materials suggests that the DESI‐MS method is a promising approach for relative document dating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence-based nucleic acid assays frequently exhibit a feeble signal at low analyte concentrations, necessitating complex, expensive methods such as the development of sequence-specific oligo tags, molecular beacons, and chemical modifications to maintain high detection sensitivity. Hence, there is growing interest in accomplishing fluorescence enhancement in nucleic acid assays using robust and cost-effective strategies. The study exploits the use of two compaction agents, PEG 8000 and CTAB, to compact the ITS-2 amplicon of the fungus Candida albicans and evaluates the effect of both of these agents on the fluorescence intensity of SYTO-9 labelled nucleic acids. Conventional fluorometric measurements showed that both CTAB and PEG 8000 enhanced the emission intensity by ∼1.2- and 2-fold, respectively. Furthermore, we leveraged paper-based spot tests and distance-based assays to validate the effect of DNA compaction for enhancing sensitivity in the point-of-care context. The spot assay performed on paper with compacted samples showed an increase in the emission intensity of SYTO-9 and this was manifested by an elevated G channel intensity in the order of PEG 8000 compacted > CTAB compacted > amplified. Moreover, in the distance-based assay, the PEG 8000 compacted sample was found to migrate farther compared to CTAB compacted and amplified DNA samples at amplicon concentrations, 15 μg ml−1 and 39.65 μg ml−1. The limit of detection (LOD) for PEG 8000 and CTAB compacted samples on both paper-spot and distance-based assays were found to be 0.4 μg ml−1 and 0.5 μg ml−1, respectively. Hence our work provides an overview of employing DNA compaction as an approach for enhancing the sensitivity of fluorescence-based point-of-care nucleic acid assays without the need for cumbersome sensitivity enhancement methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) have been constructed in which coal washing wastewater is used as carbon precursor, tryptophan is added for nitrogen doping and surface functional together with polyethylene glycol. The nitrogen doping and surface functional with electron rich groups resulted in excellent fluorescent properties regarding stability, reversibility, printability with high quantum yield which not only enable the NCDs as fluorescent ink for advanced message encryption, but also realize specific on-off-on fluorescent sensing of Hg2+ and GSH as solution, hydrogel and filter paper sensors. The NCDs had a linear range of 0.01-100 μM and a detection limit of 6.27 nM (RSD 0.33%) for Hg2+ and the NCDs@Hg2+ had a linear range of 0.01–60 μM and a detection limit of 3.53 nM (RSD 1.53%) for GSH in sensing studies with aqueous solutions. In addition, with the low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility NCDs have been successfully used for imaging Hg2+ and GSH in living MG-63 cells. The presented NCDs recycle waste coal washing water into worthwhile material which can be implemented as promising anti-counterfeiting and message encryption candidates as well as effective Hg2+ and GSH sensing, tracking and removing tools in complicated environmental and biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents an analysis of the structure and physicochemical properties of coatings based on an organofunctional silane (VTMS), a conductive polymer (PEDOT), and a surfactant (polyoxyethylene glycol monolauryl ether BRIJ). Design/methodology/approach: The coatings were deposited on X20Cr13 stainless steel and glassy carbon specimens using sol-gel immersion. The obtained coatings were characterised in terms of topography, microstructure, roughness, adhesion to the steel substrate, thickness, and corrosion resistance. Corrosion tests were conducted in sulfate environments with pH = 2 without or with the addition of Cl- ions. Findings: The use of different surfactant concentrations in the modifying solution is intended to improve the deposition efficiency and increase the degree of dispersion of silane and conducting polymer. Research limitations/implications: The tested coatings were found to slow down the corrosion of the steel substrate, thus effectively protecting it from this phenomenon. The use of a surfactant compound is intended to increase the degree of dispersion of silane and polymer in the modifying solution to improve deposition efficiency. Practical implications: Test carried out in corrosive media have shown that the coatings proposed in the above work, based on VTMS silane, PEDOT polymer and BRIJ surfactant, significantly increase the corrosion resistance of the tested materials, which confirms their effectiveness and possibility of application in various industries. Originality/value: The novelty of this paper is the use of silane (VTMS), polymer (PEDOT) and surfactant (BRIJ) as components of the anticorrosion coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the all-solution-processed organic light-emitting diode (OLED), manufacturing the cathode and lowering the work function of the cathode are the main problems limiting their commercialization. This paper reports a two-substrate bonding technology using hot roller lamination with improvement points to solve the existing problems. Ag was used to manufacture the cathode because it is less oxidative compared to Al, which has previously been used conventionally. We tried to use polyethylene imine (PEI), which is conventionally used as an electron injection layer (EIL), as an adhesive layer for the bonding, as it has the quality of being sticky. At higher PEI concentrations, the adhesion strength increased, but the electrical properties deteriorated. Therefore, the PEI wt% was decreased and mixed with polyethylene glycol (PEG), which was reported to lower the work function of the metallic surface. The results showed that the mixed solution of PEI and PEG had good adhesion and electrical properties. The device with an interfacial layer consisting of a 0.1 wt% PEI and 0.01 wt% PEG mixture turned on at 6 V and had a maximum luminance of 2700 cd/m2. The mixed solution layer provided a similar luminous characteristic for single- and double-substrate devices, highlighting the potential of fabricating all-solution-processed OLEDs using the two-substrate bonding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The silicone modifications of two-component epoxy resin coatings are commonly built on epoxy resins rather than on epoxy curing agents. The silicone-modified epoxy curing agent system is rarely reported yet. This study aims to prepare the polysiloxane (PS)-modified waterborne epoxy coatings based on aqueous curing agents technology. Design/methodology/approach: Waterborne epoxy curing agents with different contents of terminal epoxy PS were synthesized by reacting with triethylenetetramine, followed by incorporating of epoxy resin (NPEL-128) and polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether. The waterborne epoxy coatings were prepared with the above curing agents, and their performance was investigated through thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical characterization, gloss measurement, chemical resistance test and ultraviolet (UV) aging experiment. Findings: The results showed that the epoxy coating prepared by silicon-modified curing agent has higher gloss, better chemical resistance and UV resistance than the coating from unmodified curing agent with terminal epoxy PS and commercially available waterborne epoxy curing agent (Aradur 3986), as well as the competitive mechanical properties and heat resistance. Reduced water absorption on fibrous paper was also obtained with the help of silicon-modified curing agent. Originality/value: These findings will be valuable for resin researchers in addressing the modification issues about waterborne epoxy resin and curing agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based phase change materials (PCMs) with recyclability are not chemically recyclable because the raw materials of the PCMs cannot be obtained after recycling. Herein, we used a facile method to prepare a PEG-based form-stable PCM (FSPCM) using mannitol as the supporting material. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding between mannitol and PEG is strong, which gives rise to a PCM solid state even at 90 °C and prevents the leakage that normally occurs with pure PEG. More importantly, the FSPCM can be chemically recycled using butyl acetate, which is a satisfactory solvent for PEG but cannot dissolve mannitol. Thus, PEG and mannitol are obtained, with recycling rates greater than 90% for each. Additionally, there are high latent heat values for this PEG-based FSPCM, as well as excellent thermal stability and thermal reliability, suggesting the remarkable ability for thermal energy storage and thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of surfactants is crucial in the chemical–mechanical polishing fluid system for silicon wafers. This paper examines the impact of the functional group structure of polyoxyethylene-based nonionic surfactants and the variation in the polyoxyethylene (EO) addition number on the polishing performance of monocrystalline silicon wafers, to achieve the appropriate material removal rate and surface quality. The results demonstrated that the straight-chain structure of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO-9) exhibited superior performance in wafer polishing compared to octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-9) and isoprenol polyoxyethylene ether (TPEG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). By varying the number of EO additions of AEO-type surfactants, this study demonstrated that the polishing performance of monocrystalline silicon wafers was affected by the number of EO additions. The best polishing effect was achieved when the number of EO additions was nine. The mechanism of the role of polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactants in silicon wafer polishing was derived through polishing experiments, the contact angle, abrasive particle size analysis, zeta potential measurement, XPS, and other means of characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a great deal of work has been devoted to the development of thermoresponsive polymers that can be made into new types of smart materials. In this paper, a branched polymer, HTPB-g-(PNIPAM/PEG), with polyolefin chain segments as the backbone and having polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as side chains was synthesized by ATRP and click reactions using N3-HTPB-Br as the macroinitiator. This initiator was designed and synthesized using hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as the substrate. The temperature-responsive behavior of the branched polymer was investigated. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the branched polymer was determined by ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) and was found to be 35.2 °C. The relationship between the diameter size of micelles and temperature was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that the diameter size changed at 36 °C, which was nearly consistent with the result obtained by UV-vis. The results of the study indicate that HTPB-g-(PNIPAM/PEG) is a temperature-responsive polymer. At room temperature, the polymer can self-assemble into composite micelles, with the main chain as the core and the branched chain as the shell. When the temperature was increased beyond LCST, the polyolefin main chain along with the PNIPAM branched chain assembled to form the nucleus, and the PEG branched chain constituted the shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today a lot of attention is paid to the formation of thermosensitive systems for biomedical and industrial applications. The development of new methods for synthesis of such systems is a dynamically developing direction in chemistry and materials science. In this regard, this paper presents results of the studies of a new synthesized supramolecular polymer system based on polyethylene glycol and tetrafluoroethylene telomers. The films formed from the polymer substance have the property of switching wettability depending on temperature after heating activation. It has been established that the wettability changes at 60 °C. The contact angle of activated hydrophobic polymer film reaches 143°. Additionally, the system exhibits its properties regardless of the pH of the environment. Based on data obtained by the methods of infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis and thermal analysis in conjunction with wettability and morphology, a model of the behavior of molecules in a polymer system was built that ensures switching of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface state. The resulting polymer system, as well as films based on it, can be used in targeted drug delivery, implantation surgery, as sensors, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polemic is given regarding both the experimental and calculated volumetric properties reported by Arabgol and Pazuki. The authors' calculated apparent molal volumes for metformin hydrochloride dissolved in both water and in binary aqueous + PEG 4000 solvent mixtures are not consistent with the measured solution densities. Moreover, the apparent molal volume for metformin hydrochloride in water, calculated from the experimental densities, is negative and is significantly different from the positive values given in four previously published papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of electronic technology requires the use of high performance electromagnetic interference shielding materials to establish a safe environment, and environmentally friendly materials cannot be ignored. This paper explores the use of sodium alginate (SA), a naturally readily biodegradable material, to induce spontaneous assembly polymerisation by the addition of monovalent tide salts (NaCl); this is then chemically cross-linked with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form a highly ductile support structure between them, resulting in an anticorrosive, highly ductile hydrogel that can be used as a conductive and electromagnetic shielding material. The results indicate that the strength of the PVA-PEG-SA-180 hydrogel is 16.1 MPa, the elongation at break is 204.93%, and the conductivity of 15 ms mm−1 is 174.4%, 188.14%, and 25041.7% higher than that of the PVA-PEG-SA-0 hydrogel. At a thickness of only 2 mm, the average electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SE) was 32.64 dB. It is worth mentioning that the corrosion protection effect appeared after only 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we produced a bio-based polyether-polyurethane foam PU1 through the prepolymer method. The prepolymer was obtained by the reaction of PEG 400 with L-Lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (L-LDI). The freshly prepared prepolymer was extended with 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) to produce the final polyurethane. The renewable chemical BHMF was produced through the chemical reduction of HMF by sodium borohydride. HMF was produced by a previously reported procedure from fructose using choline chloride and ytterbium triflate. To evaluate the degradation rate of the foam PU1, we tested the chemical stability by soaking it in a 10% sodium hydroxide solution. The weight loss was only 12% after 30 days. After that, we proved that enzymatic hydrolysis after 30 days using cholesterol esterase was more favoured than hydrolysis with NaOH, with a weight loss of 24%, probably due to the hydrophobic character of the PU1 and a better adhesion of the enzyme on the surface with respect to water. BHMF was proved to be of crucial importance for the enzymatic degradation assay at 37 °C in phosphate buffer solution, because it represents the breaking point inside the polyurethane chain. Soil burial degradation test was monitored for three months to evaluate whether the joint activity of sunlight, climate changes and microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, could further increase the biodegradation. The unexpected weight loss after soil burial degradation test was 45% after three months. This paper highlights the potential of using sustainable resources to produce new biodegradable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper developed a method for preparing ultrasound-responsive microgels based on reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer-hetero Diels–Alder (RAFT-HAD) dynamic covalent bonding. First, a styrene cross-linked network was successfully prepared by a Diels–Alder (DA) reaction between phosphoryl dithioester and furan using double-ended diethoxyphosphoryl dithiocarbonate (BDEPDF) for RAFT reagent-mediated styrene (St) polymerization, with a double-ended dienophile linker and copolymer of furfuryl methacrylate (FMA) and St as the dienophile. Subsequently, the microgel system was constructed by the HDA reaction between phosphoryl disulfide and furan groups using the copolymer of polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether acrylate (OEGMA) and FMA as the dienophore building block and hydrophilic segment and the polystyrene pro-dienophile linker as the cross-linker and hydrophobic segment. The number of furans in the dienophile chain and the length of the dienophile linker were regulated by RAFT polymerization to investigate the effects of the single-molecule chain functional group degree, furan/dithioester ratio, and hydrophobic cross-linker length on the microgel system. The prepared microgels can achieve the reversible transformation of materials under force responsiveness, and their preparation steps are simple and adaptive to various potential applications in biomedical materials and adaptive electrical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powder injection molding is an established, cost effective and often near-net-shape mass production process for metal or ceramic parts with complex geometries. This paper deals with the extension of the powder injection molding process chain towards the usage of a commercially available borosilicate glass and the realization of glass compounds with huge densities. The whole process chain consists of the individual steps of compounding, molding, debinding, and sintering. The first part, namely, the search for a suitable feedstock composition with a very high solid load and reliable molding properties, is mandatory for the successful manufacture of a dense glass part. The most prominent feature is the binder composition and the related comprehensive rheological characterization. In this work, a binder system consisting of polyethylene glycol and polymethylmethacrylate with stearic acid as a surfactant was selected and its suitability for glass injection molding was evaluated. The influence of all feedstock components on processing and of the process steps on the final sintered part was investigated for sintered glass parts with densities around 99% of the theoretical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) represent a novel class of nanomaterials with uniquely interesting spectroscopic and dimensional features. Owing to their general low toxicity, they are preferred for application in drug delivery. Newer CQDs are plausible by substituting metal elements that impart new characteristics. This paper presents a novel dysprosium-doped CQD nanomaterial made as a composite with a β-cyclodextrin–polyethylene glycol–folate polymer. The synthesized material is characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron and IR spectroscopies. The amount of polymer in the composite is investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The size of the polymer-containing CQDS is around 8 nm. The dysprosium doping makes them magnetic in nature. Further, the material shows a broad absorption with the tail absorbance extending up to the near-infrared wavelength region. The designed nanocarrier shows a high camptothecin encapsulation efficiency of 91.03%. The in vitro anticancer studies on MCF-7 cells are carried out, and the IC50 value is more significant than the free carrier, implying a combined effect of the nanocarrier and the drug in action against the breast cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper reports the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a morphological template for spray-pyrolyzed TiO2 films. The virtues of PEG-modified TiO2 films as photoanodes in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting system are determined by the formation of nano-sized roughness, which is proposed to be originated from the role of PEG in controlling polycondensation of TiO2 precursor and segregating seed growth. Results in this paper, combined with those we reported earlier, show that the concentration of PEG in precursor solutions is more important than its molecular weight in enhancing the morphology of the resultant films and their eventual PEC properties. Based on PEC assessments, critical concentrations of PEG were found in the range of 25–50 mM, where nano-sized features are optimally developed and uniformly distributed across the surface. The best rough-surface TiO2 in this study managed to achieve PEC efficiency of as high as 1.23% and charge-transfer resistance of as low as 2.4 kΩ at − 0.7 V vs HgO|Hg, remarkably superior to the smooth-surface unmodified film with 0.40% efficiency and nearly 19 kΩ charge-transfer resistance at the same applied potential. Controlled PEG templating leads to distinct characteristics of nanoscale roughness of spray-pyrolized TiO2 films, which drive their eventual photoelectrochemical output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) film is a kind of mesopore structure template with pore size ranging from nanometer to micrometer by chemical etching after irradiation of heavy ions. The etching rate is an important factor affecting the pore morphology and quality of the membrane. In this paper, four stacked PET film were irradiated with 140 MeV [sup.32]S ions at room temperature and vacuum. During chemical etching of irradiated samples, the path etching rate [V.sub.t] was determined by conduction method, and the bulk etching rate [V.sub.b] was determined by weighing method. The relationship between etching temperature, concentration, sensitization time, and etching rate was studied. The results show that the etching rate is exponentially correlated with the etching temperature, and increases linearly with the increase of the etching solution concentration. When the concentration of NaOH is 3 mol [L.sup.-1] and the etching temperature is 75[degrees]C, the formation of cylindrical micropores is the most favorable. The pore size of porous PET film can be adjusted, and the relationship between pore size and etching time is d(nm) = 15nm + 0.24t. This is of great significance for the preparation of nanowires with uniform size and stable properties. Highlights * We have obtained the optimal conditions for obtaining cylindrical holes. * The relationship between the diameter of holes and etching time were determined. KEYWORDS bulk etching rate, heavy ions, mesopore, path etching rate, porous PET film, 1 | INTRODUCTION Template method is one of the most effective methods for the preparation of one-dimensional nanomaterials, which has been recognized and adopted by more and more researchers due [...]

In this paper, the green synthesis of isoeugenol methyl ether (IEME) from eugenol by O-methylation and isomerization is completed using a one-step green process. In the methylation reaction, dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was used as a green chemistry reagent instead of the traditional harmful methylation reagents, in accordance with the current concept of green chemistry. The phase transfer catalyst (PTC) polyethylene glycol 800 (PEG-800) was introduced into the isomerization reaction to break the barrier of difficult contact between solid and liquid phases and drastically reduce the reaction conditions by shortening the reaction time and reducing the alkalinity of the reaction system. The catalytic systems for the one-step green synthesis of IEME were screened, and it was shown that the catalytic system "K2CO3 + PEG-800" was the most effective. The effects of reaction temperature, n(DMC):n(eugenol) ratio, n(PEG-800):n(eugenol) ratio, and n(K2CO3):n(eugenol) ratio on eugenol conversion, IEME yield, and IEME selectivity were investigated. The results showed that the best reaction was achieved at a reaction temperature of 140 °C, a reaction time of 3 h, a DMC drip rate of 0.09 mL/min, and n(eugenol):n(DMC):n(K2CO3):n(PEG-800) = 1:3:0.09:0.08. As a result of the conversion of 93.1% of eugenol to IEME, a yield of 86.1% IEME as well as 91.6% IEME selectivity were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemo-mild photothermal synergistic therapy can effectively inhibit tumor growth under mild hyperthermia, minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissues and skin while ensuring therapeutic efficacy. In this paper, we develop a multifunctional study based on polyhedral oligomeric sesquisiloxane (POSS) that exhibits a synergistic therapeutic effect through mild photothermal and chemotherapy treatments (POSS-SQ-DOX). The nanoplatform utilizes SQ-N as a photothermal agent (PTA) for mild photothermal, while doxorubicin (DOX) serves as the chemotherapeutic drug for chemotherapy. By incorporating POSS into the nanoplatform, we successfully prevent the aggregation of SQ-N in aqueous solutions, thus maintaining its excellent photothermal properties both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the introduction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) significantly enhances cell permeability, which contributes to the remarkable therapeutic effect of POSS-SQ-DOX NPs. Our studies on the photothermal properties of POSS-SQ-DOX NPs demonstrate their high photothermal conversion efficiency (62.3%) and stability, confirming their suitability for use in mild photothermal therapy. A combination index value (CI = 0.72) verified the presence of a synergistic effect between these two treatments, indicating that POSS-SQ-DOX NPs exhibited significantly higher cell mortality (74.7%) and tumor inhibition rate (72.7%) compared to single chemotherapy and mild photothermal therapy. This observation highlights the synergistic therapeutic potential of POSS-SQ-DOX NPs. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo toxicity tests suggest that the absence of cytotoxicity and excellent biocompatibility of POSS-SQ-DOX NPs provide a guarantee for clinical applications. Therefore, utilizing near-infrared light-triggering POSS-SQ-DOX NPs can serve as chemo-mild photothermal PTA, while functionalized POSS-SQ-DOX NPs hold great promise as a novel nanoplatform that may drive significant advancements in the field of chemo-mild photothermal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroscale rolling/sliding conditions are in the superlubricity, a little-studied topic so far. The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) films by water-based lubricants (glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG)), providing superlubricous friction. Experiments were carried out on an optical ball-on-disc tribometer under rolling/sliding conditions. The film thickness was measured by the thin film colorimetric interferometry, and the viscosity of liquids was measured by rotational and high-pressure falling body viscometers. The results show that tribochemical reactions are not the mandatory reason for friction to reach the superlubricity level when using the water-based lubricants. The studied liquids themselves are almost Newtonian. With the addition of water, the signs of shear thinning behavior disappear even more. Suitable conditions for this type of lubricant can be predicted using the known Hamrock–Dowson equations. An anomaly in the thickness of the lubricants was observed as an abrupt change at certain conditions. The more PEG there is in the lubricant, the higher the thickness at the beginning of the jump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HAp (hydroxyapatite) excellent ion exchange resin and has adsorption properties of heavy metals and organic materials. It is used as an adsorption material and as an organic drug-delivery material due to these characteristics, that are essentially controlled the specific surface area. In this paper, the specific surface area was controlled by adding polymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polystyrene beads (PSB), and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Through the USP process, the HAp powder is able to synthesize into the spherical shape, specific surface area, and pore were controlled by the properties of the polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are antioxidants, which reduce various chronic diseases of human, and have many industrial applications. The halophilic Dunaliella parva (D. parva) is rich in carotenoids. The compounds CaCl2 and PEG are the popular metabolic enhancers. To further enhance carotenogenesis, D. parva was treated with two compounds polyethylene glycol (PEG) and CaCl2. Application of CaCl2 and PEG enhanced the carotenoids contents and the antioxidant activities of carotenoids compared to control group (no treatment of CaCl2 or PEG). The highest carotenoids contents were obtained by treating D. parva with 40 ppm CaCl2 (3.11 mg/g dry weight, DW) and 80 ppm PEG (2.78 mg/g DW) compared with control group (1.96 mg/g DW). When D. parva was treated with 40 ppm CaCl2 and 80 ppm PEG, protein contents reached the highest values (90.28 mg/g DW and 89.57 mg/g DW) compared to that of control group (73.42 mg/g DW). The antioxidant activities of carotenoids samples were determined. Generally, the antioxidant activities of carotenoids from D. parva treated with PEG and CaCl2 were superior to that of control group. The antioxidant activities of carotenoids mainly contained reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity. The reducing powers of carotenoids extracts from 20 ppm CaCl2 group (2.07%/mg carotenoids) and 120 ppm PEG group (1.59%/mg carotenoids) were significantly higher than that of control group (<1.25%/mg carotenoids). The superoxide radical scavenging activities of carotenoids extracts from 40 ppm CaCl2 group (70.33%/mg carotenoids) and 80 ppm PEG group (65.94%/mg carotenoids) were significantly higher than that of control group (<55%/mg carotenoids). This paper laid a foundation for massive accumulation of carotenoids in microalga D. parva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-linking point of a conventional chemical cross-linking agent is fixed. Therefore, gels that are prepared with a conventional cross-linking agent have poor deformability, strength, shear resistance, and further properties. Some researchers have prepared a new cross-linking agent using cyclodextrin (CD). In a polyrotaxane cross-linking agent, the cross-linking points can slide freely along the molecule chain. The special "slide ring" structure can provide better elongation, strength, and other properties to gels, which can effectively expand the application of the gel's materials. This paper summarizes the preparation methods and applications from different types of CD and compares the improvements of properties (swelling, viscoelastic properties, etc.). In addition, the current results of our group are presented, and some ideas are provided for the development of polyrotaxane cross-linking agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) are potent, biocompatible, and cost-effective techniques for partitioning, concentration, or purification of biomolecules. In this work, the direct recovery of Bacillus subtilis D3d xylanase from the fermentation broth by the polymer-salt ATPS was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The 96% of xylanase recovery in the polyethylene glycol phase with the maximum purification factor (2.17 ± 0.02) and partition coefficient (69.87 ± 2.10) were the optimum responses that obtained at 9.5% (w/w) of polyethylene glycol, 20% (w/w) of sodium citrate, and pH 10. A good agreement between experimental and predicted results verified the adequacy of the RSM models. Furthermore, the efficiency of the crude and ATPS-recovered enzyme were evaluated in the biobleaching of sugar beet pulp. The ATPS-recovered enzymatic treatment of sugar beet pulp resulted in a higher release of reducing sugars (10.29 and 21.83 mg g-1) and caused 4.5% and 10% reduction in kappa number over crude-enzyme and control, respectively. This study indicated that ATPS-recovered xylanase compared to the crude enzyme has a promising application in the pulp and paper industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the wide application of petroleum resources, oil substances have polluted the environment in every link from crude oil extraction to utilization. Cement-based materials are the main materials in civil engineering, and the study of their adsorption capacity for oil pollutants can expand the scope of functional engineering applications of cement-based materials. Based on the research status of the oil-wet mechanism of different kinds of oil-absorbing materials, this paper lists the types of conventional oil-absorbing materials and introduces their application in cement-based materials while outlining the influence of different oil-absorbing materials on the oil-absorbing properties of cement-based composites. The analysis found that 10% Acronal S400F emulsion can reduce the water absorption rate of cement stone by 75% and enhance the oil-absorption rate by 62%. Adding 5% polyethylene glycol can increase the oil–water relative permeability of cement stone to 1.2. The oil-adsorption process is described by kinetic and thermodynamic equations. Two isotherm adsorption models and three adsorption kinetic models are explained, and oil-absorbing materials and adsorption models are matched. The effects of specific surface area, porosity, pore interface, material outer surface, oil-absorption strain, and pore network on the oil-absorption performance of materials are reviewed. It was found that the porosity has the greatest influence on the oil-absorbing performance. When the porosity of the oil-absorbing material increases from 72% to 91%, the oil absorption can increase to 236%. In this paper, by analyzing the research progress of factors affecting oil-absorption performance, ideas for multi-angle design of functional cement-based oil-absorbing materials can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solution‐processed QLED (quantum dot light‐emitting diode) has a great potential for low‐cost and large‐scale displays. However, the solution‐processed QLED has a limitation in the current efficiency due to the rough surface of the quantum dot layer causing shunt leakage. This paper reports solution‐processed highly current‐efficient QLED utilizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and an organic ionic interlayer as an electron injection layer. The organic ionic materials create the permanent interface dipole by shifting the vacuum energy using tetrabutylammonium (TBA) cations and tetrafluoroborate (BF4) anions under the applied electric field. The dipole effectively reduces the electronic injection barrier to provide charge carrier balance of the holes and electrons in the emissive layer. As a result, the maximum current efficiency and power efficiency for the device structure of QLEDs ITO/PEDOT : PSS/PVK/CdSe@ZnS QDs/ZnO NPs/TBABF4+PEG/Al (23.9 cd A−1 and 12.9 lm W−1) enhanced significantly compared to the structure of QLEDs ITO/PEDOT : PSS/PVK/CdSe@ZnS QDs/ZnO NPs/PEI/Al (9.7 cd A−1 and 5.8 lm W−1) and the structure of QLEDs ITO/PEDOT : PSS/PVK/CdSe@ZnS QDs/ZnO NPs/Al (6.8 cd A−1 and 4.1 lm W−1). The improvement of the current efficiency can be analyzed under the Space Charge‐Limited Current regime. In addition, this paper examines the existence of parasitic resistances including series resistance and shunt resistance by modeling the QLED device as a single exponential diode model. Finally, we can evaluate the influence of the ionic interlayer on the entire QLED device in reducing the leakage current and the current‐voltage (I–V) characteristic of the fabricated QLED devices. We believe the presented high‐performance quantum dot light‐emitting diodes have a high potential and impact on lighting and display technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo-induced controlled radical polymerization (CRP) mediated by heterogeneous catalysts provides excellent spatiotemporal control and has been widely studied in view of green chemistry and potential biomedical applications. In this paper, an ionic heterogeneous catalyst (TD-I) was synthesised in a facile manner under mild conditions for inducing the reversible complexation-mediated polymerization (RCMP) of poly (polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMA) in an aqueous solution under white LED light irradiation. The obtained PPEGMA has a controllable molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution. The spatio-temporal control of the catalytic system and the high chain end fidelity of the polymer have been successfully verified by on-off light experiments and chain expansion experiments. The activity and efficiency of TD-I remained essentially unchanged after being used for three cycles. Such a heterogeneous photocatalyst which can be easily separated and efficiently reused is promising for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of PV modules are commercially available. Of the many types, the one that is recommended for constructing a solar power generation system is the one that generates power in an optimal location with high efficiency and high yield. To plan the deployment of a system, knowledge of the solar irradiance of a given location is essential to predict the possible electricity generation (PEG) of a defined area. Predeterminations based on simulations of insolation and PEG are currently being carried out at specific locations, but it has not been possible to determine the actual technical thrust. This paper introduces a peripheral trio-block synthesis (PTBS) methodology to calculate solar irradiance based on measured physical irradiance data. A metric called Module Preferred Rank (MPR) is also introduced to compare different types of PV modules. Solar irradiance at the location of latitude 13.6214 ON and longitude 79.2903 OE is physically measured using a solar sensor on the day immediately adjacent to the vernal equinox. The developed PTBS methodology is applied to calculate solar irradiance based on measured physical irradiance data. The calculated solar irradiance is used to evaluate PEG via various PV modules that can be deployed in the open area of the site in question, and the MPR of each type is evaluated. The proposed PTBS methodology can potentially become a real-time solar irradiance calculation methodology. The MPR evaluated for various constraints may serve as a reference for the end user to select the appropriate PV module type. Choosing the right PV modules among several can increase the contribution to green power. The results of this paper were able to confirm the above statements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of biomedical research, nanotechnology is a cutting-edge area of study that holds immense promise for the treatment of tumors. In this paper, Sgc8 nucleic acid aptamer-mediated gold nanoparticles of different diameters are used to investigate the treatment methods for leukemia patients. Targeted and polyethylene glycol (PEG) gel functional modifications were employed to achieve the desired binding analysis of both positive and negative human acute lymphatic leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) and Ramos cells. In addition, the targeting capabilities of Sgc8 nucleic acid aptamer-mediated gold nanoparticles have been tested under physiological conditions, including serum. The results indicate that the addition of PEG gel-modified Sgc8 nucleic acid aptamers significantly reduces the adsorption of nanoparticles to non-specific biomolecules, as compared to the control random sequence. The characterization results using a dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer, UV spectrophotometer, and transmission electron microscope all converge to prove consistent particle size, with gold nanoparticles evenly dispersed without agglomeration. The emergence of new targeted tumor nanomaterials has underscored the ease with which gel functionalization can be realized, along with their exceptional chemical stability, providing a valuable reference for future clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of fire on self-curing reinforced concrete flat slabs was inspected in this study. In this paper the focus will be on the effectiveness of the reinforcement ratio, heat duration and cooling method on the behavior of self-curing (SCU) reinforced concrete flat slabs exposed to fire. To create SCU concrete, polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) is added at a rate of 0.5% of cement weight. Twenty-five RC plates (1200 mm x 1200 mm x 70 mm) lying on four supports and being subjected to concentrated load were used to achieve the experimental programmed. The experimental program was conducted in two stages. The first stage, the specimen exposed to high temperature (600o c) for 1 hour and 2 hours. To record the failure load and the deflections at each load increment, the load was gradually increased in the second stage. The results show that the cracking and the ultimate loads decreased, while the deflection increased either with the increase of fire flame duration and cooling method from gradually to sudden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes and hydrocarbon compounds are annually generated by industrial activities and discharged into water sources. They have destructive impacts on the environment. To eliminate these toxic contaminants from aqueous media, sorption can be considered a proper and efficient process, as it has indicated high efficiency for removing organic contaminants. This paper entails a comprehensive evaluation of different organic pollutants, pros and cons of the sorption process in removing these pollutants, comparing different types of adsorbents and investigating the recyclability of different types of composites. Moreover, the sorption mechanism and kinetic behavior of organic contaminants are investigated using biocomposites and nanocomposites. Moreover, the future perspectives of biocomposites and nanocomposites in eliminating organic compounds are discussed. Based on investigations, a large number of nanocomposites have been utilized for removing organic contaminants with high performance so far, including SiO2/MnFe2O4/ZIF-8 MOF, magnetite/MWCNTs, nano zerovalent iron, barium/Cobalt/polyethylene glycol (PEG), graphene oxide/Fe3O4, kaolin/CuFe2O4 and Fe3O4@UiO-66. Moreover, polyaniline/sodium alginate/Oscillatoria filamentous cyanobacterium biomass, cow bones/zeolite/coconut biocomposite and AC derived from melamine and sucrose are excellent biocomposites in the removal of organic pollutants. Moreover, the reusability study shows that poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Fe3O4 and corn stalk biomass/chitosan/Fe3O4 biocomposites have significant stability compared to other composites in the elimination of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) are an important kind of perennial fruit tree, but their biochemical testing method and transformation technology were insufficient and had not been rigorously explored. The protoplast technology is an excellent method for creating a rapid and effective tool for transient expression and transformation assays, particularly in plants that lack an Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation system. This study optimized the conditions of the protoplast isolation and transformation system, which can provide a lot of help in the gene expression regulation study of mango. The most beneficial protoplast isolation conditions were 150 mg/mL of cellulase R-10 and 180 mg/mL of macerozyme R-10 in the digestion solution at pH 5.6 and 12 h of digestion time. The 0.16 M and 0.08 M mannitol in wash solution (WI) and suspension for counting (MMG), respectively, were optimal for the protoplast isolation yield. The isolated leaf protoplasts (~5.4 × 105 cells/10 mL) were transfected for 30 min mediated by 40% calcium-chloride-based polyethylene glycol (PEG)-4000-CaCl2, from which 84.38% of the protoplasts were transformed. About 0.08 M and 0.12 M of mannitol concentration in MMG and transfection solutions, respectively, were optimal for protoplast viability. Under the florescence signal, GFP was seen in the transformed protoplasts. This showed that the target gene was successfully induced into the protoplast and that it can be transcribed and translated. Experimental results in this paper show that our high-efficiency protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transformation protocols can provide excellent new methods for creating a rapid and effective tool for the molecular mechanism study of mangoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional constipation is one of the common disorders of gut–brain interaction in infancy, and decreases the quality of life of infants and parents. Relevant articles up to November 2022 were reviewed. We searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE for guidelines, position papers, reviews, and randomized controlled trials on infant constipation. Randomized controlled trials in this specific age group are mostly limited to trials with infant formula. The prevalence of infant constipation in formula-fed infants is decreasing, and can be associated with adaptations in formula composition. While the supplementation of infant formula with pro-, pre- and/or synbiotics decreases the prevalence of constipation, their efficacy in constipated infants is disappointing. There is limited evidence to support the addition of magnesium to infant formula to treat constipation. The evidence for the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol in children < 2 years has expanded over the past years. The administration of lactulose or polyethylene glycol is the preferred medical management, in case nutritional management does result in insufficient improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]