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Much progress has been made in hydrovoltaic materials and devices. However, the power conversion efficiency of hydrovoltaic devices is still low. One of the main factors that determine the efficiency is the properties of hydrovoltaic materials. Herein, the research status of hydrovoltaic materials is summarized from the perspectives of synthetic materials, macroscopic biomaterials, and micro biomaterials, as well as the hydrovoltaic devices based on these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics are as positively durable as they are easily breakable, almost impossible to mend and hard to get rid of. They promise eternal life, but their immortality may quickly turn them into the undead. This paper discusses the use and role of plastics in Ghanaian funerary contexts, specifically in a small-town community in the Ghanaian Volta Region. It investigates plastics' agency as materials that may potentially either contain death successfully or become uncontained matter out of place, just as the dead may become contained or left wandering among the living. Different perspectives on plastics are brought into focus, highlighting how attributed qualities and meanings play into the making of 'good' or 'bad' death. The paper shows that plastics and persons jointly become subject to moral and temporal assessments in the realm between good and bad, finitude and durability. Beyond the ethnographic case study, the paper discusses the political potential of death and plastics within the larger global context of a cultural economy that reflects the ongoing effect of colonialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannulation process intervenes before implantation of pedicle screw and depends on the surgeon's experience. A reliable experimental protocol has been developed for the characterization of the slipping behavior of the surgical tool on the cortical shell simulated by synthetic materials. Three types of synthetic foam samples with three different densities were tested using an MTS Acumen 3 A/T electrodynamic device with a tri-axis 3 kN Kistler load cell mounted on a surgical tool, moving at a constant rotational speed of 10° mm−1 and performing a three-step cannulation test. Cannulation angle varied between 10° and 30°. Synthetic samples were scanned after each tests, and cannulation coefficient associated to each perforation section was computed. Reproducibility tests resulted in an ICC for Sawbone samples of 0.979 (p < 0.001) and of 0.909 (p < 0.001) for Creaplast and Sawbone samples. Cannulation coefficient and maximum force in Z-axis are found the best descriptors of the perforation. Angular threshold for perforation prediction was found to be 17.5° with an area under the curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic of 89.5%. This protocol characterizes the cannulation process before pedicle screw insertion and identifies the perforation tool angle until which the surgical tool slips on the cortical shell depending on bone quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern medicine, the issues of regeneration of damaged organs are quite relevant. Methods are being actively developed to simplify regeneration processes. The object of study is scaffolds, that is, structures of various materials that serve as a substrate for tissue regeneration. Tissue engineering is involved in the development of such structures. It combines the scientific achievements of cell biology, biochemistry, engineering and medicine. New methods for producing scaffolds are being developed. Thus, scaffolds are a polymer or other composite material that can imitate the structure of various tissues; it contains healing drugs. Scaffolds are cellular matrices, the main part of which is tissue regeneration. Next, this study provides a review of the literature on the benefits and practices of using scaffolds made of synthetic and various xenogeneic materials in regenerative medicine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate by means of coherence optical tomography (OCT) two synthetic bone augmentation materials based on hydroxyapatite and to quantify the degree of filling of the experimental cavities created one month and two months after their creation. We made 4 groups of 5 Whistar rats on which we created experimental cavities in calvaria and in the upper maxillary. Samples were obtained after one months for two study group and after two months for the other two. After obtaining the images from the optical coherence tomography examination, they were analysed with the ImageJ software. The results provided important information related to the healing pattern of the experimental cavities, the degree of their filling with newly formed bone tissue, but also about the presence of residual particles of synthetic bone graft materials.The increased refractive index of a synthetic bone augmentation material is an important advantage in assessing by OCT the presence of material particles in a bone cavity. The maxillary bone anatomy due to its convexities made more difficult the evaluation of the samples from this area compared to the flat surfaces offered by the calvaria samples. Optical coherence tomography remains a promising method for the evaluation of new-forming bone tissue when synthetic bone graft materials are used, both for research evaluation in order to compare different materials, but also for the potential to be used in clinical activity as well.

The present work elicits the synthesis of 2,2-dimethyl-2H-[1,3]dioxino[4,5-b]pyrrole-4(7H)-ones derivatives catalyzed by heterogeneous Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles supported N-acetyl-PABA@Cu(II), which address the limitations of traditional organic synthesis approaches in terms of sustainable and efficient, resulting in improved yields, higher selectivity with no waste. The decorum embraces four-component reactions (4CRs) of amines, aldehydes, meldrum’s acid, and nitromethane facilitated by Fe3O4-N-acetyl-PABA-Cu(II) in the presence of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) as an ecologically benign solvent under ultrasonic irradiation at room temperature. Outstanding conversion rates and selectivity were attained by the heterogeneous catalyst through great catalytic performance. The simple work-up, easy catalyst recovery, and no base or additional activators were required. Characterization of the structures of synthesized compounds and catalysts was corroborated through different spectroanalytical techniques viz; FTIR, 1H & 13C NMR, Mass elemental analyses, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Particle size analysis and Zeta potential.

Innovations in liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) have made it possible to perform experiments at the optimized conditions needed to examine soft matter. The main obstacle is conducting experiments in such a way that electron beam radiation can be used to obtain answers for scientific questions without changing the structure and (bio)chemical processes in the sample due to the influence of the radiation. By overcoming these experimental difficulties at least partially, LP-EM has evolved into a new microscopy method with nanometer spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution for analysis of soft matter in materials science and biology. Both experimental design and applications of LP-EM for soft matter materials science and biological research are reviewed, and a perspective of possible future directions is given.

In the context of the archaeometrical study of Saturnino Gatti's wall paintings, a significant aspect concerned the study of the organic component to understand both the original binders used in the original areas and the products used for pictorial reintegration and restoration of the painted surfaces. Thanks to the results obtained from various non-invasive and multi-band imaging techniques, it was possible to define Gatti's original painting technique and identify the materials subsequently applied in significant samples. To this end, molecular analyses based on mass spectrometry were carried out. Different procedures in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and in pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) were adopted. The analyses revealed a variety of organic materials on the mural paintings, most of which are from past restoration interventions and have synthetic origin. The overspread presence of paraffin is likely due to the application of a mineral wax-based coating/consolidant. In particular, the execution technique encompassed the use of tempera-based paints, while retouched areas were characterised by the presence of oil-based resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide compounds have naturally formed during the whole of Earth's history. Synthetic compositions with iron oxides are produced with the use of various techniques and widely used for scientific and applied purposes. This review considers an attempt to classify all the information on different iron oxide compound formation mechanisms and intended applications in biomedicine, catalysis, waste remediation, geochemistry, etc. All the literature references analyzed were divided into several groups by their number of included iron oxide compounds: compositions containing only one compound (e.g., magnetite or wüstite), including various polymorphs of iron(III) oxide (α-, β-, γ-, ε-, ζ-, δ-Fe2O3); compositions with two different distinguishable iron oxide phases (e.g., maghemite and hematite); compositions containing non-crystalline phases (amorphous iron oxide or atomic clusters); and compositions with mixed iron oxide phases (indistinguishable separate iron oxide phases). Diagrams on the distribution of the literature references between various iron oxide compounds and between various applications were built. Finally, the outlook on the perspectives of further iron oxide studies is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Conservar Património is the property of Associacao Profissional de Conservadores-Restauradores de Portugal 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 presents the results of studies in the field of polymer materials application for fabric modification. The aim of the study is to identify the most effective technique of deposition of Russian-made formulations of an acryl and urethane nature with pigment compositions in the processes of functional fabric production. The authors analyze the efficiency of three processing solutions: the technology of uniform dyeing with pigments consisting of coating the fabric surface with a pigment–polymer composition, the technology of obtaining "camouflage" fabrics based on a conceptually new approach to creating the IR-remission effect on printed fabrics, and the technology of creating a stable retro-reflective effect on a fabric through the use of polymers produced in Russia. The paper also shows the conceptual differences in the pigment distribution mechanisms in the fiber or in the polymer matrix depending on the technique of fabric coating. The cheapest and safest technique for the environment is the squeegee method of pigment application, which provides fabrics with both oil- and water-repellent properties. An innovative technology has been developed based on the squeegee method for achieving the IR-remission effect on fabrics with "camouflage" patterns. A series of physico–chemical tests (spectrophotometry, electron microscopy), as well as assessment of the consumer properties of the obtained textile materials confirmed the efficiency of using aqueous dispersions of acrylic polymers made in Russia for producing competitive functional fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The healing process after tendon injury is often accompanied by the formation of peritendinous adhesion, contributing to limb dysfunction and exerting detrimental effects on the individuals, as well as the development of society and economy. With the continuous development of material science, as well as the augmented understanding of tendon healing and the mechanism of peritendinous adhesion formation, materials used for the fabrication of barrier membranes against peritendinous adhesion emerge endlessly. In this article, based on the analysis of the mechanism of adhesion formation, we first review the commonly used natural and synthetic materials, along with their corresponding fabrication strategies, in order to furnish valuable insights for the future optimization and development of antiperitendinous adhesion barrier membranes. This article also discusses the interaction between antiadhesion materials and cells for ameliorating peritendinous adhesion.

Objective: Suture tape (ST) is a common synthetic material in the repairing surgery of soft tissue. Recently, ST augmentation (STA) technique has been described as a novel way to improve the mechanical property of grafts in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). However, the clinical outcomes of ACLR using ST-augmented grafts have not been clarified. This systematic review aimed to summarize the specific technique of STA and evaluate the clinical outcomes after ACLR with STA.Methods: A electronic search of PubMed and Embase databases with a manual search of Google Scholar was performed to identify studies that reported the clinical outcomes of ACLR with STA. Each included study was abstracted regarding the study features, patient data, surgical information, and outcome measures.Results: Nine studies were included, representing 314 knees in 314 patients undergoing ACLR with STA. Technically, ST was fixed independently from grafts in six studies and along with grafts in two studies. Most studies applied an equal or slightly less tension on ST than ACL graft. Clinically, significant improvements were found in the Lysholm, IKDC, and KOOS scores after a mean follow-up of 16.7 months. Physical examinations of 220 patients showed significant restoration of knee stability at the final follow-up. 59 of 80 (73.8%) patients returned to preinjury sports level at a minimum 2 year follow-up. Six of 266 (2.3%) patients had a graft failure during the first 2 years postoperatively. The use of ST was significantly associated with better Tegner scores and a trend toward significantly higher rates of return to sport compared to standard ACLR. No significant difference was found in most subjective scores, knee laxity, and graft failures between ACLR with or without STA.Conclusion: ACLR with STA achieved overall favorable clinical outcomes. Patients using ST-augmented grafts were seemingly associated with better sports performance compared to standard ACLR. But ACLR with STA was not superior to ACLR alone in most functional scores, knee stability measures, and graft failure rates. A tension equal to or slightly less than the ACL graft should be carefully applied on ST during fixation to avoid stress shielding of the graft.

Microfibers are small (<5 mm) fibers made of synthetic materials that are ubiquitous in the environment. The purpose of this observational study was to quantify the number of microfibers in marine sediments and determine which locations have the highest risk for this type of pollution. Sediment samples were taken from three locations in Southern California (Sycamore Watershed, Ventura State Beach Jetty, and Newport Beach Harbor) to determine which had the highest number of microfibers. It was hypothesized that microfibers would be found at each sample site and that the most microfibers would be found at Sycamore Watershed due to its proximity to a wastewater discharge point. The microfibers were separated from the sediment through a process of stratification and filtration and analyzed by a one-way ANOVA and Tukey s test. Per sample, there was an average of 111.5 (±99.3, n=14) microfibers found per sample at Sycamore Watershed, 59 (±17.4, n=18) at Newport Beach Harbor, and 53 (±14.4, n=18) at Ventura State Beach Jetty. A total of 3,590 microfibers were found from all three sample sites. Analysis revealed that Sycamore Watershed had significantly more microfibers than any other site (p<.05). It is likely that Sycamore Watershed had the most microfibers because of its proximity to a sewage-sludge disposal site that contains the polluted water from our washing machines. In conclusion, microfibers are polluting the sediments in harbors, open coastlines, and watersheds in California, negatively affecting the ecosystems in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disperse dyes (DDs) are the most prevalent causes of textile‐related allergic contact dermatitis and are used for colouring synthetic textile materials based on fibres such as polyester, acrylic, acetate and polyamide. Eight DDs are included in a textile dye mix (TDM) 6.6% petrolatum (pet.) in the European baseline patch test series. Objectives: The aim of this study was to patch test TDM 6.6% pet. positive individuals with the extracts of synthetic fibre clothes that do not contain any of the pure DDs present in the TDM 6.6% to study the reactivity pattern. Methods: Seventy‐three TDM‐positive former patients tested between 2012 and 2017 at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology in Malmö, Sweden were invited to join the study, 10 participated. Twenty‐four textile items (collected in nine countries in Europe, Asia and North America in 2012) were extracted in dichloromethane. The TDM 6.6% was patch tested simultaneously with the 24 textile item preparations in petrolatum made from the extracts. Prior to patch testing the participants filled the 7‐question questionnaire regarding possible symptoms from textile exposure. Results: Ten individuals, agreed to join the study. Eight of them reacted to TDM 6.6%. Nine participants reacted to 20 of 24 extracts. One reacted to 19 extracts, another to 14, 3 to 5 extracts, 1 to 4, 1 to 3 extracts and 2 to 2 extracts. One was negative to all tested preparations including TDM 6.6%. The participants mainly reacted to six textile extracts. All controls tested negatively to tested extracts. Four individuals of the 10 TDM‐allergic individuals previously had had problems after wearing clothes. Four out of the 10 participants had had atopic eczema in childhood. All women had dyed their hair with permanent hair dyes but none of the males. Conclusion: TDM‐positive patients react to textile extracts made from synthetic garments, even if they do not contain any of the pure DDs present in TDM 6.6%. More studies are needed to pin‐point the culprit haptens in these extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last century the petroleum industry’s rapid growth has been accompanied by a steady flow of aggressively promoted petroleum-based products. The petroleumscape’s spatial expansion and visual representation achieved widespread citizen buy-in. Following World War II the use of plastic materials in the building industry significantly increased through efforts from architects and industry leaders. The House of the Future, built by MIT architects, the Monsanto Chemical Company, and Disneyland exemplified a modern lifestyle: clean, functional, and fun. The architectural and technocratic dream of a mass-produced, fully plastic house that seemed possible in the post-war years did not survive the subsequent commercialisation of the plastics industry in the 1960s and 70s.

This paper focusses on the presence of visible synthetic materials (plastics) and finishes from the 1960s in the interior of office buildings. Although the ongoing research on synthetic materials as art pieces is well developed, building components from the interior and exterior of Belgian patrimony have not yet been studied, and remain undervalued as integral components of heritage buildings. The research presented in this paper tackles this issue by examining two specialized Belgian journals, namely La Technique des Travaux and La Maison. A selection of case studies from these two journals was examined in-depth to assess general tendencies and obtain a thorough evaluation and validation of the visible plastic materials and finishes in the case studies: the floor, wall and ceiling finishes. The plastic elements of listed monuments have often been removed, and do not receive a similar level of protection to other materials. Plastic heritage is not valued and protected as a relevant part of recent historic architecture. This part of the built patrimony needs to be recognized with equal status and therefore conserved.

The state-of-the-art approach to regenerating different tissues and organs is tissue engineering which includes the three parts of stem cells (SCs), scaffolds, and growth factors. Cellular behaviors such as propagation, differentiation, and assembling the extracellular matrix (ECM) are influenced by the cell’s microenvironment. Imitating the cell’s natural environment, such as scaffolds, is vital to create appropriate tissue. Craniofacial tissue engineering refers to regenerating tissues found in the brain and the face parts such as bone, muscle, and artery. More biocompatible and biodegradable scaffolds are more commensurate with tissue remodeling and more appropriate for cell culture, signaling, and adhesion. Synthetic materials play significant roles and have become more prevalent in medical applications. They have also been used in different forms for producing a microenvironment as ECM for cells. Synthetic scaffolds may be comprised of polymers, bioceramics, or hybrids of natural/synthetic materials. Synthetic scaffolds have produced ECM-like materials that can properly mimic and regulate the tissue microenvironment’s physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological properties, manage adherence of biomolecules and adjust the material’s degradability. The present review article is focused on synthetic materials used in craniofacial tissue engineering in recent decades.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the osseointegration degree of two synthetic bone augmentation materials, a commercial product and an experimental one, using the optical coherence tomography. We made two study groups composed of 8 laboratory Whistar rats on which we created experimental cavities with a diameter of 3 mm at the level of the parietal bone and mandible. Samples were obtained from both calvaria and the mandible of the animals after two months for first study group and after four months for the other. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used for a non-destructive evaluation of the surface and subsurface of bone tissue. The results of our study showed in general a good integration of the inserted materials; in some cases the healing of the augmented cavities with the experimental material was faster, while the commercial material offered a more reproducible healing pattern.

Background Considering the complexity of lung structures and the difficulty of thoracoscopic surgery, simulation-based training is of paramount importance for junior surgeons. Here, we aim to design a high-fidelity lung model through utilizing the three-dimensional (3D) printing technology combined with synthetic materials to mimic the real human lung. Methods The 3D printed lung model was manufactured based on the computed tomography images of a randomly selected male patient. Synthetic materials were used for the construction of lung parenchyma, blood vessels, and bronchi. Then, the model was assessed in terms of its visual, tactile, and operational features by participants (the senior surgeons, junior surgeons, and medical students), who were asked to complete the specially designed survey-questionnaires. Results A 3D printed model of the right lung made of synthetic materials was successfully fabricated. Thirty subjects participated in our study (10 senior surgeons, 10 junior surgeons, and 10 medical students). The average visual evaluation scores for senior surgeons, junior surgeons, and medical students were 3.97 ± 0.61, 4.56 ± 0.58, 4.76 ± 0.49, respectively. The average tactile evaluation scores were 3.40 ± 0.50, 4.13 ± 0.68, 4.00 ± 0.64, respectively. The average operation evaluation scores were 3.33 ± 0.83, 3.93 ± 0.66, 4.03 ± 0.66, respectively. Significant lower scores were obtained in the group of the senior surgeons compared with the other two groups. Conclusion A high level of fidelity was exhibited in our 3D printed lung model and it could be applied as a promising simulator for the surgical training in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this review are to identify the types of materials with their associated complications and respective considerations when used to obliterate the mastoid cavity. Methods: A systematic search was performed across PubMed, Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases from January 2009 to January 2020 for randomized controlled trials and observational studies of patients that underwent mastoid obliteration. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were screened and scored according to the MINORS and relevance scores to determine final inclusion. Types of complications were grouped into minor and major complications based on the Clavien‐Dindo classification. Results: Two thousand five hundred and seventy‐eight ears were evaluated. There were a total of 165 (7.9%) minor and 142 (6.8%) major complications in the autologous group. Overall complication rate is 14.8%. The major complications were largely recurrent and residual disease requiring revision surgery. There were 10 (18.5%) minor complications and three (5.6%) major complications in the allogenic group. The cumulative complications risk is 24%. For the synthetic group, there were 39 (8.0%) minor and 34 (7.6%) major complications. The cumulative complication rate is 16.6%. Conclusion: Current evidence on materials for mastoid obliteration has been evolving. Each material has its strengths and limitations. The trend over the last decade favours the use of autologous materials. The principle of using a material remains being cautious of not reimplanting skin that can lead to the development of a cholesteatoma. The choice of materials is dependent on patient factors as well as the surgeons' preference and experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid waste disposal, particularly of plastic and rubber, significantly impacts the environment and human health; thus, encouraging consumers to u sustainable alternatives is essential to ensure a resilient future. In recent decades, bio-based material research has primarily focused on bioplastics and, accordingly, current knowledge of alternative sustainable materials (such as biorubber) is fragmented, with consumer misconceptions posing a key challenge. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of bio-based materials, in addition to common misconceptions about them. The findings of a public survey that aimed to assess consumers' attitudes towards, as well as their awareness and perceptions of, conventional and sustainable alternative materials, particularly oxo-biodegradable rubbers, are also reported in this paper. Despite their unfamiliarity with the terms 'bio-based' and 'oxo-biodegradable', most respondents had a positive view of bio-based products and expressed an interest in reducing their use of conventional products in favour of sustainable alternatives. The results also revealed that consumers are willing to spend more on sustainable alternatives because they are aware of the environmental issues associated with solid waste. This study provides new insights into knowledge gaps and challenges that must be addressed to promote the prudent use of sustainable materials in a fast-changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to compare the clinical and histological results of synthetic bone substitutes used in maxillary sinus floor augmentation. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for studies of the success of endosseous dental implant, implant failure, peri-implant marginal bone loss, newly formed bone, and residual bone graft material. After the search, 10 randomized clinical trials were included, with 4 studies ranging from low to unclear risk of bias were used for meta-analysis, comparing biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and deproteinized bovine bone (DBB). A greater amount of residual graft material (mean difference [MD]: −4.80 mm; 95% CI: −9.35 to −0.26; P =.040) was found in the DBB group. No other statistically significant differences were found between BCP and DBB for the remaining outcomes. Our results suggested that BCP can be considered a suitable alternative to DBB in maxillary sinus floor augmentation due to its clinical and histological results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the archaeometrical study of Saturnino Gatti’s wall paintings, a significant aspect concerned the study of the organic component to understand both the original binders used in the original areas and the products used for pictorial reintegration and restoration of the painted surfaces. Thanks to the results obtained from various non-invasive and multi-band imaging techniques, it was possible to define Gatti’s original painting technique and identify the materials subsequently applied in significant samples. To this end, molecular analyses based on mass spectrometry were carried out. Different procedures in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and in pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) were adopted. The analyses revealed a variety of organic materials on the mural paintings, most of which are from past restoration interventions and have synthetic origin. The overspread presence of paraffin is likely due to the application of a mineral wax-based coating/consolidant. In particular, the execution technique encompassed the use of tempera-based paints, while retouched areas were characterised by the presence of oil-based resins.

Iron oxide compounds have naturally formed during the whole of Earth’s history. Synthetic compositions with iron oxides are produced with the use of various techniques and widely used for scientific and applied purposes. This review considers an attempt to classify all the information on different iron oxide compound formation mechanisms and intended applications in biomedicine, catalysis, waste remediation, geochemistry, etc. All the literature references analyzed were divided into several groups by their number of included iron oxide compounds: compositions containing only one compound (e.g., magnetite or wüstite), including various polymorphs of iron(III) oxide (α-, β-, γ-, ε-, ζ-, δ-Fe2O3); compositions with two different distinguishable iron oxide phases (e.g., maghemite and hematite); compositions containing non-crystalline phases (amorphous iron oxide or atomic clusters); and compositions with mixed iron oxide phases (indistinguishable separate iron oxide phases). Diagrams on the distribution of the literature references between various iron oxide compounds and between various applications were built. Finally, the outlook on the perspectives of further iron oxide studies is provided.

This paper focusses on the presence of visible synthetic materials (plastics) and finishes from the 1960s in the interior of office buildings. Although the ongoing research on synthetic materials as art pieces is well developed, building components from the interior and exterior of Belgian patrimony have not yet been studied, and remain undervalued as integral components of heritage buildings. The research presented in this paper tackles this issue by examining two specialized Belgian journals, namely La Technique des Travaux and La Maison. A selection of case studies from these two journals was examined in-depth to assess general tendencies and obtain a thorough evaluation and validation of the visible plastic materials and finishes in the case studies: the floor, wall and ceiling finishes. The plastic elements of listed monuments have often been removed, and do not receive a similar level of protection to other materials. Plastic heritage is not valued and protected as a relevant part of recent historic architecture. This part of the built patrimony needs to be recognized with equal status and therefore conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last century the petroleum industry’s rapid growth has been accompanied by a steady flow of aggressively promoted petroleum-based products. The petroleumscape’s spatial expansion and visual representation achieved widespread citizen buy-in. Following World War II the use of plastic materials in the building industry significantly increased through efforts from architects and industry leaders. The House of the Future, built by MIT architects, the Monsanto Chemical Company, and Disneyland exemplified a modern lifestyle: clean, functional, and fun. The architectural and technocratic dream of a mass-produced, fully plastic house that seemed possible in the post-war years did not survive the subsequent commercialisation of the plastics industry in the 1960s and 70s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ensemble of wall paintings of the Trinity Gate Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is the only entirely preserved example of the pictural decoration of the Church, made in the 18th century (interior), early 20th century (exterior) by masters of the Kyiv school, in Ukraine. The historical review of the methods introduced during the restoration works on the murals of the Church is carried out in the work. The technology of application of a new range of synthetic materials during restoration and their influence on the further preservation of paintings is considered, emphasizing the changes in the materials of painting. The results of the research make it possible to trace the development of the Ukrainian restoration branch on the example of a separate monument, and the findings of the monitoring of paintings reveal the problems of the current state of the object and possible ways to solve them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live cells are implicated in diverse biological processes, including nutrient transport and removal of foreign substances. Their intelligent biofunctions with complex mechanisms cannot be replicated at all in man‐made materials despite the significant advance in material design. Taking advantages of their biocompatibility and biotropic capability, various live cells have been developed as a kind of special carriers for the on‐demand delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents in recent years. Furthermore, synthetic materials can be integrated with live cells to provide bio‐hybrid systems that inherit advantages from both the synthetic particles and the natural cells. Herein, recent strategies and advances in cell‐based bio‐hybrid delivery systems for disease treatment are summarized. Challenges and opportunities in this field are also discussed.

The commercial demand for food products and dietary supplements has increased drastically in the last few decades. The packed food products and nutritional supplements have made a profound impact on the modern human lifestyle. Since ancient times, storage and long-term use of food products remain a significant challenge for humans. There are different parameters for the evaluation of food products and dietary supplements broadly categorized as quality control and quality assurance. On an average million tons of food, materials get spoiled daily worldwide due to lack of storage and transportation point out packaging systems inequalities. To ensure the quality of packed food products and nutritional supplements among available measures, packaging remained an important event and had been refined from time to time to provide a standard. Over a period, the packaging industry has evolved using modern technology from the conventional methods of new generation packaging, including glass, wood, and paper to most new biodegradable materials. The ancient pattern of packaging; manual packaging has been taken over by an automated system of packing, resulting in enhanced output with minimal chance of damage to valuable products for humanity. The article will emphasize new insights into current packaging system not only provide the quality of these products but also in aiming new heights beyond conventional technologies and consumer opinions. In the present study, we have given more emphasis on novel methods of packaging, the packaging materials, quality of packed products, and their impacts of food products on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Owing to their small particle size, good stability against photobleaching, high fluorescence stability, tunable fluorescence emission, easy surface functionalization, low toxicity and excellent biocompatibility, carbon dot (CD) has been widely applied in many fields including catalyst, cell imaging, drug delivery, fluorescence detection and photoelectronic devices. In recent years, synthetic methods for preparing high-performance fluorescent CD using different raw materials have attracted much attention. In addition, detection of trace metal ions by a fluorescent probe has been rapidly developed and widely used. The fluorescent probe can be constructed thus:the CD directly interact with the target analyte, the CD modified by the specific ligand interact with the target analyte, and the CD forming a complex with other substances interact with the target analyte. OBJECTIVES To provide references for researchers to synthesize CD and construct fluorescent probes based on CD for the determination of trace metal ions in complex samples. METHODS The optical properties and synthetic raw materials of CD were described. The process and characteristics of the commonly used top-down and bottom-up methods were summarized. The application progress of fluorescent probes constructed by the three interaction modes between CD and target analytes for the determination of biochemical reaction ions, Fe3+, Zn2+ and Cu2+, and other heavy metal ions such as Hg2+, As3+, Pb2+, Cr6+ and Cd2+ were reviewed. RESULTS Different raw materials had been utilized for synthesizing CD with different properties. The prepared CD were used to construct fluorescent probes for the determination of micro metal ions with high selectivity and sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Further research on the determination mechanisms, development of new detection modes, construction of fluorescent probes for specific metal ions and sample components, and establishment of analytical methods, which can be applied to complex samples are the challenges and development orientation of the fluorescent probes based on CD.