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Monitoring the moisture content is crucial for red ginseng quality control. In this study, we established a moisture content prediction model using partial least squares regression (PLSR) based on short‐wave infrared (SWIR) data of different ginseng types (whole and sliced) at various drying temperatures and times. The model parameters, including the R2 values, ratio of prediction deviation, and range error ratio, showed that the developed model was robust. Sliced ginseng showed a constant rate period, followed by a falling rate period, whereas whole ginseng showed only a falling rate period. The falling‐rate period coincided with the formation of a dry zone on the sample surface in the moisture distribution map, indicating that monitoring the moisture distribution map can predict the onset of the falling‐rate period. These results suggest that the SWIR technique is a promising nondestructive method for evaluating the drying process of red ginseng. Practical applications: Monitoring the moisture content of red ginseng is essential to prevent microbial spoilage during transportation. Traditional monitoring of water content is destructive and time‐consuming. Therefore, using hyperspectral imaging, we aimed to develop an efficient moisture prediction model for the drying process of red ginseng. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to non‐destructive and rapid quality evaluation in red ginseng production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic domain of chiroptical technologies, it is imperative to engineer emitters endowed with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. This research demonstrates an advancement by employing a combined top‐down and bottom‐up strategy for the simultaneous amplification of photoluminescence quantum yield (Φ) and the luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum). Square‐planar Pt(II) complexes form helical assemblies, driven by torsional strain induced by bis(nonyl) chains. Integration of chiral anions leads these assemblies to prefer distinct helical sense. This arrangement activates the metal‐metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) transition that is CPL‐active, with Φ and |glum| observing an upswing contingent on the charge number and aryl substituents in chiral anions. Utilizing the soft‐lithographic micromolding in capillaries technique, we could fabricate exquisitely‐ordered, one‐dimensional co‐assemblies to achieve the metrics to Φ of 0.32 and |glum| of 0.13. Finally, our spectroscopic research elucidates the underlying mechanism for the dual amplification, making a significant stride in the advancement of CPL‐active emitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further improve the output performance of triboelectric devices, reducing charge attenuation and loss has become a hot research topic. Particularly, textiles have emerged as one of the promising research directions for triboelectric devices owing to their special internal structure and large specific surface area. In the present work, polyacrylonitrile fibers are fabricated with two distinct structures to provide a higher dielectric constant due to the strong polar properties brought about by higher dipole moment of the CN group. In addition, the complex and closely connected structure of the textile increases specific internal surface area. As a friction layer, the output voltage is shown to increase to 625% of the initial value (from 8 to 60 V) after the application of friction for a short time due to accumulation property. When acting as a trapping layer, the charge loss after injection is effectively prevented due to excellent charge trapping effect. After 24 h, the triboelectric output performance remains at ≈70% of the initial value (decreasing from 320 to 220 V), which is more than 20 times that of the polytetrafluoroethylene film, which decreases from 125 to 19 V. The device is realized for the advanced application of multi‐modal sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An open‐shell quinoidal conjugated polymer exhibiting n‐type semiconducting behavior is successfully synthesized and characterized. An electron‐deficient azaaromatic unit is proven to reduce the energy levels of frontier orbitals via the electronegative nitrogen atom and steric hindrance within the polymer backbone. A synthesized azaquinoidal bithiophene (azaQuBT) is a quinoidal bithiophene that is end‐functionalized with a pyridine ring. The open‐shell quinodial conjugated polymer, poly(azaquinoidal bithiophene‐thiophene), PazaQuBT‐T, is synthesized using azaQuBT and thiophene. The extended quinoidal building block, which has an open‐shell diradical character, induces low bandgaps, redox amphoterism, and high‐spin‐induced paramagnetic behavior of the resulting polymer. PazaQuBT‐T achieves ambipolar charge‐transport behavior in organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) devices. Through a PEIE treatment onto the contact electrode, PazaQuBT‐based OFETs exhibit unipolar n‐channel operation with electron mobility up to 0.98 cm2 V−1 s−1. This work demonstrates the development of novel open‐shell conjugated polymers with high‐spin characteristics and n‐type semiconducting property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite with shape memory‐assisted self‐healing and piezoresistive sensing ability is presented herein, and its high conductivity is attributed to a small amount of well‐dispersed carbon black (CB). Carboxylic acid groups are introduced into the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) side chain via the ring‐opening reaction of succinic anhydride. Thus, CB is well‐dispersed in the solution owing to simultaneous attraction and electrostatic repulsion. The resulting ink with less than 30 wt.% CB is highly conductive (3.7 S cm−1). In addition, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is used as a crosslinking agent to promote the reaction between OH and COOH in the side chains of the PVB‐COOH. The dual network consisting of urethane and amide bonds exhibits the shape memory effect. Moreover, the composite is shown to be capable of shape memory‐assisted self‐healing owing to the hydrogen bonds between the dual network and COOH, such that the resistance returns to its initial value, and the healed sample can support a 1 kg weight. The resulting multi‐modal sensing system is shown to detect bio‐signals such as body movements, breathing, and pulse. In summary, the present work provides an effective strategy for the development of conductive composite electrodes for various applications that require adaptability and piezoresistive sensing ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study investigated the feasibility of preparing muffins using egg solution alternatives comprising super mealworm protein isolate (MW; 2.3% and 4.3%) and carrageenan (C; 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%) to improve eggless muffin quality. Physical and nutritional assessments of the developed eggless muffins, including texture profile, protein content and digestibility, were evaluated and compared with muffins containing egg solution. The result revealed that eggless muffins containing 4.3% MW (MW4C0.5, MW4C1.0 and MW4C2.0) showed comparable protein content (7.19%–7.55%) and springiness (103.00%–110.00%) as egg muffins. Higher concentrations of carrageenan in egg solution alternatives increased the chewiness and cohesiveness of eggless muffins. Eggless muffins also exhibited higher protein digestibility (83.92% ± 1.75%) than egg muffins (36.79% ± 5.37%). Sensory evaluation results revealed that all eggless muffins were acceptable to consumers. Our results suggest that egg solution alternatives of super mealworm protein and carrageenan are potential substitutes for preparing eggless muffins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal treatment is used to inactivate microbes in soymilk, but it increases the amount of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Therefore, this study examined if ultraviolet light with thermo‐sonication (UVTS) and Ecklonia cava extract (EX) could provide an alternative process to prevent AGEs formation in processed soymilk. A coiled tube UV reactor was used simultaneously with an ultrasonic generator for UVTS treatment, while an autoclave was employed for thermal treatment. UVTS treatment was examined at different temperatures and flow rates to achieve a 5‐log reduction of pre‐inoculated Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium in soymilk. After confirming EX's anti‐glycation effects against fructosamine, ɑ‐dicarbonyl compounds, protein carbonyl content, and AGEs formation, it was added to soymilk before the UVTS. The ɑ‐dicarbonyl compounds (glyoxal and methylglyoxal) and AGEs (Nε‐(1‐carboxymethyl)‐l‐lysine [CML] and Nε‐(1‐carboxyethyl)‐l‐lysine [CEL]) in soymilk increased after autoclaving (AC). Compared with AC, the UVTS with.05% EX decreased glyoxal, methylglyoxal, CML, and CEL by 78%, 82%, 32%, and 59%, respectively. These results indicated that UVTS with EX could be an alternative pasteurization process for soymilk that minimizes AGEs formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terpolymer (PFS–GMA–TFEMA) was prepared and coated on silica waveguide for polymeric optical overclad. In our study, athermal characteristics were realised by adjusting the coefficient of negative thermal expansion of the synthesised terpolymer overclad, and the positive thermo‐optic coefficient of the silica thin film. The measured values were −1.11 × 10–4 /K and 0.79 × 10–5 /K (dn/dT). The thermal properties according to the temperature change indicated that the wavelength had shifted by about 0.15 nm from 20 to 90°C, with little change over 50°C. When the temperature increased, the wavelength shift of the silica/terpolymer hybrid arrayed waveguide grating was −0.002 nm/°C, compared to the 0.01 nm/°C of silica arrayed waveguide grating. Terpolymer overclad arrayed waveguide grating showed a centre wavelength loss of 5.334 dB, loss uniformity of 0.864 dB, a polarisation dependent loss of 0.162 dB, and a non‐adjacent crosstalk of −31.67 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To build devices offering users comfortable experience, it is important to focus on form factor and multifunctionality. In this study, for the first time, multifunctional Zn clusters with shape memory, self‐healing, triboelectricity, and optical sensing synergized with rollable form factor are designed and fabricated by coordinating COO− and Zn2+. As pore forming agent, Zn clusters produce hierarchical porous structure depending on Zn amount. Zn clusters are applied as message transmitters and charge containers in optical sensing and corona charge injection, respectively. Moreover, Zn clusters in PVB‐COO‐Zn serve as positive tribomaterial due to Zn ion doping effect, increasing the output performance as the Zn amount reaches 20 wt%. In addition, injecting positive charge into PVB‐COO‐Zn 20 lead to more than 24 times increase in output performance compared to those of non‐porous structures. The reversibility of Zn clusters endows shape memory and self‐healing, synergized with the rollable form factor. The rollability is implemented using the long alkyl chain and the energy absorption of porous structure, providing damage resistance. The advancements in this work provide opportunities for multifunctional and unique applications (shape memory rotating‐triboelectric nanogenerator, rollable self‐healing touchpad, hidden tag) synergized with rollability that accomplishes working in broadened condition in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a method to maximize the energy efficiency of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), high‐voltage charge injection (HVCI) on the surface is a simple and effective method for increasing surface charge densities. In this study, positive and negative triboelectric series are controlled using a 3‐layer gradient charge‐confinement wherein the particle sizes of the mesoporous carbon spheres (mCSs) are sequentially arranged depending on the external surface area of the mCSs. In the gradient charge‐confinement layers of this study, the mCS with different sizes perform charge transport from the surface to a deep position during HVCI while mitigating the charge loss through charge confinement to induce the high space charge densities. Through this process, the output voltage—which is initially 15.2 V—is measured to be 600 V after HVCI, thus representing an increase of about 40 times. Further, to amplify the low output current, which is a disadvantage of triboelectric energy, two types of electrical energy—triboelectric and electromagnetic energy—are produced in single mechanical motion. As a result, the output current produced by the cylindrical TENG and electromagnetic generator is recorded as being 1300 times higher, increasing from 12.8 µA to 17.5 mA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coexistence of increasingly severe environmental concerns and bio‐signal sensing systems drives the development of environmental affinity and energy harvesting materials. Chitosan is a richly sourced biodegradable material derived from crustaceans, which provides a new option for environmentally, wearable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). In this paper, the triboelectric performance of chitosan blends are proposed to enhance the dielectric constant by optimizing the ionic polarization and interface polarization for the first time, which fills in the blank of enhancing the output of chitosan triboelectric by systematically engineering in ionic/molecular and pH effect. Triboelectric output enhanced chitosan film in TENG shows an output voltage 3 times (18 V) higher than that of the initial film and 25 times (200 V) higher after corona charge injection. The chitosan film for wearable devices not only can be used as a unit of a triboelectric device to measure human motion signal, but also can be used as a piezoresistive sensor (ΔR/R0: 0 to 1.5) and an air humidity sensor (relative humidity: 20% to 90%) after mixing carbon black. The study provides a stimulating example that triboelectric nano generator/piezoresistive sensor is made from chitosan and used in the multi‐modal sensing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced graphene oxides (rGOs), despite their excellent electrical properties, have been seldom used as the solution‐processed sole hole transport material (HTM) in perovskite solar cells (PeSCs) with an n‐i‐p structure, due to their low dispersity in orthogonal solvent of perovskite, such as chlorobenzene (CB). The limited rGO dispersion in nonpolar solvents precludes the formation of a fully covered film on top of the perovskite layer. A newly designed alkylated rGO (AF‐rGO) is synthesized, which can be highly dispersed in a nonpolar solvent, for use as a solution‐processed HTM on top of the perovskite layer in PeSCs. The AF‐rGO can be dispersed in CB at a high concentration, and a fully covered AF‐rGO film is successfully introduced on top of the perovskite layer as HTM through a simple solution process. The AF‐rGO in the PeSC exhibits minimal series resistance and charge recombination and exhibits efficient hole extraction and transport abilities, resulting in a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17%, which is the highest PCE of PeSCs with an n‐i‐p structure, which use graphene‐based materials as the sole HTM. Moreover, devices with AF‐rGO HTM exhibit improved ambient stability, exhibiting 89% of their original performance after 240 h of storage without encapsulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh‐cut cucumber was coated with different concentrations of edible chitosan solutions and packaged in air‐, nitrogen‐, and argon‐based MA to preserve quality and extend shelf life. The effectiveness of individual and combined treatments on some quality parameters was examined at intervals during 12 days storage at a temperature of 5°C. The concentration of chitosan solutions significantly affected the performance of fresh‐cut cucumber in MA packages. Improved quality retention and reduced carbon dioxide production were observed in chitosan‐coated fresh‐cut samples. Argon‐based MA packaged samples exhibited better potential than air and nitrogen‐based MA packaging in retarding tissue respiration, physiological changes, chlorophyll degradation, and extending shelf life of fresh‐cut cucumber. Combined chitosan coating with MA packaging maintained quality, microbial safety, and extended the shelf life of fresh‐cut cucumber. The combination of chitosan coating with argon‐based MA packaging best preserved quality and prolonged the shelf‐life of fresh‐cut cucumber throughout 12 days storage. The synergy between chitosan treatment and argon‐based MA packing has potential application in the food industry to preserve the overall quality and extend the shelf‐life of the fresh‐cut cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the fabrication of a quasicrystal electrode at a low processing temperature. Topics discussed include usage of electrohydrodynamic and transfer printing in fabrication; need of electrohydrodynamic narrow nozzle‐to‐substrate distance printing method to obtain a quasicrystal electrode; and the its role in lowering processing cost with low‐temperature processing.

The plant U-box (PUB) protein functions as an E3 ligase to poly-ubiquitinate a target protein for its degradation or post-translational modification. Here, we report functional roles for OsPUB15, which encodes a cytosolic U-box protein in the class-II PUB family. Self-ubiquitination assays showed that bacterially expressed MBP-OsPUB15 protein has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. A T-DNA insertional mutation in OsPUB15 caused severe growth retardation and a seedling-lethal phenotype. Mutant seeds did not produce primary roots, and their shoot development was significantly delayed. Transgenic plants expressing the OsPUB15 antisense transcript phenocopied these mutant characters. The abnormal phenotypes were partially rescued by two antioxidants, catechin and ascorbic acid. Germinating seeds in the dark also recovered the rootless defect. Levels of HO and oxidized proteins were higher in the knock-out mutant compared with the wild type. OsPUB15 transcript levels were increased upon HO, salt and drought stresses; plants overexpressing the gene grew better than the wild type under high salinity. These results indicate that PUB15 is a regulator that reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress and cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human joints have respective ranges of motion and joint forces corresponding to each kind of joint; this necessitates considerations of the characteristics of human joints to fabricate wearable strain sensors conformable to the human body, and capable of precisely monitoring complex motions of the human body. In the present study, the "all textile‐based highly stretchable structure" that is capable of precisely sensing motions (folding and rotation) of the human joints (finger, wrist, elbow, spine, and knee) is fabricated by optimizing patterns (straight, blind, and zigzag) of conductive yarns employed as the conductive part of the strain sensor, and several textile substrates (braided elastic fabric, knit fabric, and woven fabric), having preferable elasticity and conformability employed for the fabrication of strain sensors suitable for human joints. In particular, the technology, enabling the prestraining of textile substrate, is exploited to fabricate a strain sensor that is capable of outputting selective signals corresponding to the folding motion of the spinal joint over a predetermined angle of motion, and the gait pattern of the wearer of the sensor, attached to his or her knee joint doing folding and rotational motions, is analyzed. A textile‐based highly bendable and rotational strain sensor that consists of three different patterns (straight, blind, and zigzag) of conductive yarn and textile substrates is optimized for precisely sensing motions of the human joints. The prestrained textile strain sensor is capable of outputting selective signals by programming the starting point of sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly synthesized donor–acceptor (D–A) type of conjugated copolymer (PCTV‐BTzF) with semi‐fluorinated alkyl side chains, which has good solubility in common organic solvents, is described. Unlike polymers with hydrocarbon‐based alkyl side chains, semi‐fluorocabonated polymer leads to intriguing results. First, the self‐organization behavior of the semi‐fluoroalkyl side chains by the self‐aggregate propensity between hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon induces patterned microstructural morphology in polymer films; second, it dominates the molecular orientation of polymers with planar back structure. Such unusual properties of the polymer with semi‐fluoroalkyl side chains compared to that with the hydrocarbon ones are verified and characterized though various systematic characterizations, including temperature‐dependent UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and 2D‐grazing incident X‐ray diffraction measurement. As a result, PCTV‐BTzF‐based OFETs show the maximum p‐type field‐effect mobility of 1.02 cm2 V−1 s−1 in the 200 °C annealed films. A conjugated polymer with semi‐fluorinated alkyl chains is successfully synthesized as an organic semiconductor. The polymer, PCTV‐BTzF, forms a self‐assembled microstructure by the self‐aggregating behavior of its semi‐fluorinated alkyl chains. As a result, it shows the optimized charge‐carrier mobility of 1.02 cm2 V−1 s−1 for holes in field‐effect transistors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Routine TPL studies of functional microstructures often demand strict conditions of resolution, form, and stability. This results in a tradeoff between resolution and mechanical stability in finely featured structures. Herein, the authors demonstrate a method to improve the mechanical stability of structures fabricated from a urethane acrylate photoresist, that is, prone to mechanical failure. In this work the authors show that the unique characteristics of two‐photon‐induced polymerization (TPP) can be exploited to form tightly polymerized voxels (voxels, or volume pixels, are the building blocks of a microstructure). This approach leads to stable microstructures without a sizeable trade‐off in terms of resolution. This is achieved by adding a co‐sensitizer and radical quencher pair to the photoresists sensitized with a two‐photon absorbing dye. The co‐sensitizer leads to high degrees of polymerization, while the radical quencher limits polymerization at the periphery of the voxel. The formation of tightly polymerized voxels has been validated experimentally from line dimensions of the structure and their degree of polymerization. The authors have tested the sensitizer‐radical quencher combination in another photoresist and demonstrated the adaptability of this concept to tune different photopolymer systems. We demonstrate the possibility of forming tightly polymerized voxels by controlling the polymerization dynamics at the laser focus during two‐photon initiated polymerization. This leads to microstructures with better mechanical stability while limiting the loss of resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]