Search Results (2)

This paper reports the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) sensor through early detection of amyloid-beta (Aβ) (1–42) using simple nanorestructuring of Au sheet plate by oxidation-reduction cycle (ORC) via the electrochemical system. The topology of Au substrates was enhanced through the roughening and Au grains grown by a simple ORC technique in aqueous solutions containing 0.1 mol/L KCl electrolytes. The roughened substrate was then functionalized with the highly specific antibody β-amyloid Aβ (1–28) through HS-PEG-NHS modification, which enabled effective and direct detection of Aβ (1–42) peptide. The efficacy of the ORC method had been exhibited in the polished Au surface by approximately 15% larger electro-active sites compared to the polished Au without ORC. The ORC polished structure demonstrated a rapid, accurate, precise, reproducible, and highly sensitive detection of Aβ (1–42) peptide with a low detection limit of 10.4 fg/mL and a wide linear range of 10⁻² to 10⁶ pg/mL. The proposed structure had been proven to have potential as an early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection platform with low-cost fabrication and ease of operation. Full article

Pitch-faced concrete is becoming a very popular element of modern architecture in the 21st century. In particular, the demand for concrete facades is increasing globally. On the other hand, climate change, environmental degradation, and limited resources are motivations for sustainable building materials. The construction industry is one the highest emitters of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, in which concrete plays a major role. Thus, reduction in the volume of concrete consumption is essential to control greenhouse gases. One approach to this problem is to use textile reinforced concrete (TRC). The main aim of the present study was to compare the subtle TRC facade made of three different types of technical textile rovings (glass, carbon, and basalt) with ordinary facades reinforced by steel reinforcement (ORC). The goal was to compare the basic environmental impact potential according to product category rules (PCR) for concrete structures. The functional unit was defined as an experimental facade with an area of 60 m² and a 100-year lifespan. Inventory data were elaborated for concrete, steel, and textile fiber production; the building site; service life; demolition; and final disposal. The main life cycle assessment (LCA) parameters were global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion (ODP), acidification (AP), eutrophication (EP), abiotic depletion (ADP), and photochemical oxidant creation (POCP). All the data used in the work were related to Czech Republic. Textile reinforced concrete facades appeared to be more environmentally friendly in four of six impact categories by an average of 30%. The results of the present study revealed that, in comparison to ORC, TRC has a lower environmental impact for the given conditions and thus good potential for use in sustainable construction. Full article