Search Results (224)

Nonlinear characteristics are essential for neuromorphic devices to process high-dimensional and unstructured data. However, enabling a device to realize a nonlinear response under the same stimulation condition is challenging as this involves two opposing processes: simultaneous charge accumulation and recombination. In this study, a hybrid transistor based on a mixed-halide perovskite was fabricated to achieve dynamic nonlinear changes in synaptic plasticity. The utilization of a light-induced mixed-bandgap structure within the mixed perovskite film has been demonstrated to increase the recombination paths of photogenerated carriers of the hybrid film, thereby promoting the formation of nonlinear signals in the device. The constructed heterojunction optoelectronic synaptic transistor, formed by combining a mixed-halide perovskite with a p-type semiconductor, generates dynamic nonlinear decay responses under 400 nm light pulses with an intensity as low as 0.02 mW/cm². Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that nonlinear photocurrent growth can be achieved under 650 nm light pulses. It is important to note that this novel nonlinear response is characterized by its dynamism. These improvements provide a novel method for expanding the modulation capability of optoelectronic synaptic devices for synaptic plasticity. Full article

Plastic waste is currently a major concern in Romania due to the annual increase in quantities generated from anthropogenic and industrial activities, especially from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), and the need to reduce environmental impact. This study investigates an alternative valorization route for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) plastic waste through microwave-assisted pyrolysis, aiming to maximize conversion into gaseous products, particularly hydrogen-rich gas. A monomode microwave reactor was employed, using layered configurations of plastic feedstock, silicon carbide as a microwave susceptor, and activated carbon as a catalyst. The influence of catalyst loading, reactor configuration, and plastic type was assessed through systematic experiments. Results showed that technical-grade PP, under optimal conditions, yielded up to 81.4 wt.% gas with a hydrogen concentration of 45.2 vol.% and a hydrogen efficiency of 44.8 g/g. In contrast, PE and mixed PP + PE waste displayed lower hydrogen performance, particularly when containing inorganic fillers. For all types of plastics studied, the gaseous fractions obtained have a high calorific value (46,941–55,087 kJ/kg) and at the same time low specific CO₂ emissions (4.4–6.1 × 10⁻⁵ kg CO₂/kJ), which makes these fuels very efficient and have a low carbon footprint. Comparative tests using conventional heating revealed significantly lower hydrogen yields (4.77 vs. 19.7 mmol/g plastic). These findings highlight the potential of microwave-assisted pyrolysis as an efficient method for transforming ELV-derived plastic waste into energy carriers, offering a pathway toward low-carbon, resource-efficient waste management. Full article

Soil microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to the integrity of terrestrial ecosystems and agricultural sustainability. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent progress on soil microplastic (MP) sources, ecological impacts, and separation technologies. Agricultural practices (e.g., residual plastic mulch and wastewater irrigation) and atmospheric deposition serve as primary drivers of contamination accumulation, with pronounced spatial heterogeneity observed across regions. Predominant MP types such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene disrupt soil structure and biogeochemical processes through three core mechanisms: physical interference, chemical toxicity, and biological accumulation. These particles further form carrier–pollutant complexes, exacerbating ecotoxicological impacts across trophic levels. While emerging separation techniques like magnetic separation and solvent extraction demonstrate enhanced efficiency, their implementation faces challenges stemming from soil matrix complexity and high operational costs. This article underscores the need for global collaborative efforts to accelerate innovation in biodegradable polymers, offering practical pathways for sustainable soil management. Full article

This study proposes a novel non-destructive methodology for assessing structural integrity in liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier cargo containment systems (CCSs), addressing limitations of conventional inspection techniques like visual inspection and vacuum box testing. The method leverages strain-induced martensitic transformation (SIMT) in austenitic stainless steel (SUS304L), widely used in CCS membranes, quantifying magnetic permeability increase via a Feritscope to evaluate deformation history and damage. To analyze SUS304L SIMT behavior, uniaxial tensile (UT) and equi-biaxial tensile (EBT) tests were conducted, as these stress states predominate in CCS membranes. Microstructural evolution was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), allowing a quantitative assessment of the transformed martensite volume fraction versus plastic strain. Subsequently, Feritscope measurements under the same conditions were calibrated against the XRD-measured martensite volume fraction for accuracy. Based on testing, this study introduces three complementary Feritscope approaches for evaluating CCS health: outlier detection, quantitative damaged area analysis, and time-series analysis. The methodology integrates data-driven quantitative assessment with conventional qualitative inspection, enhancing safety and maintenance efficiency. Full article

This study focused on the development of Na⁺ ion sensing devices on a flexible substrate and investigated the impact of various additive materials on its sensing performance. For the Na⁺ ion sensing aspect, the film on the carbon working electrode used tert-butyl calix[4]arene tetraethyl acetate as the ion carrier. The main component of the film was polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with a plasticizer added to enhance its flexibility, ensuring better adaptation to the flexible substrate. In this base formulation, graphene oxide (GO) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated into the sensing electrode to explore their effects on Na⁺ ion sensing capabilities. The results demonstrated that adding MWCNTs significantly improved the sensor’s sensitivity to Na⁺ ions. In addition, the study used the response slope to Na⁺ ions as a comparative reference for selectivity by calculating the ratio of the Na⁺ ion response slope to the response slopes of other ions (such as K⁺ and Ca²⁺). The findings showed that the sensors with MWCNTs exhibited better selectivity than the others with GO, and therefore, further analysis was performed on the response time of the sensors with MWCNTs. The results indicated that incorporating MWCNTs reduced the sensors’ response time and enhanced their overall sensitivity. However, excessive addition of MWCNTs would lead to a decrease in the selectivity of the fabricated sensors. This suggests that while MWCNTs offer promising improvements in performance, their concentration must be carefully optimized to maintain the sensors’ selectivity. Full article

In the context of the circular economy, the valorization of bio-derived waste has become a priority across various production sectors, including food processing and packaging. Gelatin (Gel), a protein which can be recovered from meat industry byproducts, offers a sustainable solution in this regard. In this study, pork-derived gelatin was used to develop novel edible active packaging films, designed for meat products. Glycerol (Gl) was used as a plasticizer. Two types of montmorillonite-based nanohybrids were employed as both reinforcing agents and carriers of antioxidant/antibacterial compounds: eugenol-functionalized montmorillonite (EG@Mt) and citral-functionalized montmorillonite (CT@Mt). The active films were formulated as Gel/Gl/xEG@Mt and Gel/Gl/xCT@Mt, where x = 5, 10, or 15 wt.%. Controlled-release kinetics showed that EG@Mt released up to 95% of its adsorbed eugenol, whereas CT@Mt released up to 55% of its adsorbed citral. The films were evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Results demonstrated that the Gel/Gl/xEG@Mt films exhibited superior antioxidant and antibacterial performance compared to the Gel/Gl/xCT@Mt films. All formulations were impermeable to oxygen. Although the incorporation of EG and CT slightly reduced cell viability, values remained above 80%, indicating non-toxicity. In conclusion, the film containing 15 wt.% EG@Mt achieved an oxygen transmission rate of zero, an effective concentration (EC₆₀) of 9.9 mg/L to reach 60% antioxidant activity, and reduced E. coli and L. monocytogenes populations by at least 5.8 log CFU/mL (p < 0.05), bringing them below the detection limit. Moreover, it successfully extended the shelf life of fresh minced pork by two days. Full article

In this paper, polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) were created using poly(vinyl chloride)-based alkyl sulfonic acid derivatives as ion carriers and dioctyl terephthalate as a plasticizer for the selective separation of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) ions from aqueous nitrate solutions. The ion carriers were dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic acid (DNNSA) and nonylbenzenesulfonic acid (NBSA). The influence of the carrier and the plasticizer concentration in the membrane on the transport efficiency was investigated. For the PIM system, 15% wt. of carrier (DNNSA, NBSA), 20% wt. of plasticizer, and 65% wt. of polymer poly(vinyl chloride) PVC were the optimal proportions, with which the process was the most effective. Research on the transport kinetics has shown that the transport of Pb(II) ions through PIMs containing acidic carriers adheres to a first-order kinetics equation, which is characteristic of a facilitated transport mechanism. The activation parameter for these processes suggests that the high performance of these ion carriers is associated with the immobilization of the carrier within the membrane. It was found that PIMs based on DNNSA facilitate the selective separation of Pb(II)/Cu(II) and Pb(II)/Cd(II) mixtures, achieving high separation factors. Full article

Airborne micro and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) are a growing issue due to their possible health hazards. Since the current bibliography lacks a thorough evaluation, this review examines the sources, environmental dynamics, and health impacts of airborne MPs/NPs. Through atmospheric transport processes, these neo-pollutants spread around the world after being released, potentially settling in urban and remote areas. This review is the first to compare active and passive aerosol sampling methods, and microscopy, thermochemical, and spectroscopy analytical techniques, with a focus on their limitations in precisely quantifying micro-nanoscale plastic particles. It also draws attention to the potential toxicological effects of inhaled MPs/NPs, which can lead to oxidative stress, respiratory inflammation, and other negative health consequences. This review concludes by examining how airborne MPs/NPs may worsen their ecological impact by serving as carriers of hazardous chemicals and microbial pollutants. Despite growing awareness, there still are many unanswered questions, especially about the impact of long-term exposure and how atmospheric conditions affect the spread of MPs/NPs. The aim of this review was to bring attention to the issue of airborne MP/NP effects and to promote the development of advanced monitoring systems, a new multidisciplinary scientific field for the study of these novel pollutants, and global regulatory frameworks. Full article

The traditional von Neumann architecture encounters significant limitations in computational efficiency and energy consumption, driving the development of neuromorphic devices. The optoelectronic synaptic device serves as a fundamental hardware foundation for the realization of neuromorphic computing and plays a pivotal role in the development of neuromorphic chips. This study develops a ternary heterojunction synaptic transistor based on perovskite quantum dots to tackle the critical challenge of synaptic weight modulation in organic synaptic devices. Compared to binary heterojunction synaptic transistor, the ternary heterojunction synaptic transistor achieves an enhanced hysteresis window due to the synergistic charge-trapping effects of acceptor material and perovskite quantum dots. The memory window decreases with increasing source-drain voltage (V_DS) but expands with prolonged program/erase time, demonstrating effective carrier trapping modulation. Furthermore, the device successfully emulates typical photonic synaptic behaviors, including excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), and the transition from short-term plasticity (STP) to long-term plasticity (LTP). This work provides a simplified strategy for high-performance optoelectronic synaptic transistors, showcasing significant potential for neuromorphic computing and adaptive intelligent systems. Full article

Essential oil-loaded edible films have emerged as promising natural systems for active food packaging due to their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. However, retaining volatile bioactives within hydrophilic matrices remains challenging. In this regard, this study compared the performance of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), citrus peel pectin (CPP), and potato starch (PS) edible films as encapsulating systems of orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) essential oil using Tween 80 as surfactant and glycerol as a plasticizer. Film-forming emulsions were characterized regarding droplet size distribution and rheological behavior. Films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Limonene retention was quantitatively determined post-drying through gas chromatography. CMC-based films exhibited the highest retention (~65%), primarily due to their higher viscosity, which limited oil droplet mobility and volatilization. Despite presenting similar internal porosity, PS films showed significantly lower retention (~53%), attributed to larger droplet size and lower viscosity. CPP films, with the smallest droplets and intermediate viscosity, showed similar limonene retention to PS-based films, highlighting that high internal porosity may compromise encapsulation efficacy. The results emphasize that matrix viscosity and emulsion stability are critical determinants of essential oil retention. Although polysaccharide films, particularly CMC, are promising carriers, further structural and processing optimizations are required to enhance their encapsulation performance for commercial applications. Full article

Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacterium, usually transmitted through the fecal–oral route, that can result from direct person-to-person contact, exposure to contaminated environmental surfaces, or contact with the hands of colonized healthcare personnel. An increased number of infections, especially healthcare-associated, with this etiology has been observed in most countries. As a spore-forming organism, CD is resistant to alcohol formulations and is a challenge for chemical disinfection. The solution could be the supplementation of traditional disinfection with non-touch techniques, such as UV-C radiation. The adoption of UV-C as a supplementary disinfection method in hospitals has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are no current guidelines concerning the use of UV-C disinfection in hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of UV-C irradiation in inactivating Clostridioides difficile from different types of surfaces in hospital settings. The study was based on laboratory tests evaluating the efficacy in eliminating three different C. difficile strains on carriers made of plastic, metal and glass after 10 min exposure to UV-C (wavelength, 253.7 nm). We observed a wide range of reductions in the C. difficile suspensions depending on the density of the carrier contamination, type of carrier, strains and the location of the carrier. The percentage reductions ranged from 0 to 100%, but the best results were observed for glass, with lower initial suspension density and carrier placement on a door frame. Statistically significant differences were only seen in different suspension densities. Our experiment was a continuation of the tests done for non-sporing bacteria and C. auris, and there were some interesting differences in C. difficile reflecting its biology, especially its sensitivity to an aerobic atmosphere during the sample drying. Although the elimination of C. difficile by UV-C radiation was confirmed in our experiment, it was lower than in the case of non-spore-forming bacteria. Thus, this method may be used in healthcare settings (hospitals) for improving environmental safety and preventing C. difficile spreading. Full article

To extend food shelf life and reduce plastic pollution, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were employed as a carrier to load cinnamon essential oils (CEOs), and the nanotubes were blended with polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) resin to fabricate the film with non-contact antimicrobial activity. The results showed that the HNTs had a high loading efficiency (about 11%) for CEOs. The retention rate of CEOs in HNTs was still 33% after twenty days later, which indicated that the CEOs/HNTs nanoparticles had a long-acting controlled-released effect. The composite films represented excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli due to the non-contact antimicrobial activity of CEOs. The strawberries remained fresh after five days when the composite film was applied in the packaging of strawberries, which proves that composite films can extend the shelf life of food. Therefore, it has potential application prospects in the food industry. Full article

Neutrophils, the most abundant white blood cells, play a dual role in cancer progression. While they can promote tumor growth, metastasis, and immune suppression, they also exhibit anti-tumorigenic properties by attacking cancer cells and enhancing immune responses. This review explores the complex interplay between neutrophils and the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting their ability to switch between pro- and anti-tumor phenotypes based on external stimuli. Pro-tumorigenic neutrophils facilitate tumor growth through mechanisms such as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and immune evasion strategies. They contribute to angiogenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis by releasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Conversely, anti-tumor neutrophils enhance cytotoxicity by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), promoting antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and activating other immune cells such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Recent advances in neutrophil-based drug delivery systems have harnessed their tumor-homing capabilities to improve targeted therapy. Neutrophil-mimicking nanoparticles and membrane-coated drug carriers offer enhanced drug accumulation in tumors, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, strategies to modulate neutrophil activity, such as inhibiting their immunosuppressive functions or reprogramming them towards an anti-tumor phenotype, are emerging as promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Understanding neutrophil plasticity and their interactions with the TME provides new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Targeting neutrophil-mediated mechanisms could enhance existing cancer treatments and lead to the development of novel immunotherapies, ultimately improving patient survival and clinical outcomes. Full article

Despite recurring episodes of fire exacerbated by climate change, post-fire dynamics in trees remain to be fully understood. In a mixed forest in northern Mexico that experiences frequent fires, we aimed to determine how tree growth responds to surface fire by examining earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) responsiveness, as well as their connection with canopy activity, using UAV-acquired NDVI data. We compared EW and LW growth from mini cores of burned and unburned trees (n = 100) across four species, correlating this with NDVI data from 33 UAV monthly flights at the individual tree level from 2021 to 2023. Our results identified Quercus durifolia Seemen as the species that presented the highest growth following exposure to surface fire. Arbutus arizonica (A. Gray) Sarg. was the species most affected by fire in terms of EW production immediately after burning but showed benefits in subsequent summers. Juniperus deppeana Steud. demonstrated adaptive plasticity by responding more quickly to fire, with notable growth in EW. Pinus engelmannii Carrière responded in 2023, and its NDVI was associated to the least extent with seasonal growth. Thus, there is an evident seasonal response in trees subjected to low-intensity fire, which can act to shape the stand habitat. However, there is a divergence in response between broadleaf and evergreen species that could be attributed to fire-adaptive traits and hydraulic strategies. Although combining the tree-ring data with the NDVI served to improve our understanding of the effects of fire, further research is required. Full article

By decoding the behavioral mechanisms underlying material perception, this study pioneers a sensory nudging strategy to accelerate the adoption of sustainable materials. This study, grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model, investigates the factors influencing the purchase intention and loyalty of wood-plastic composites (WPCs), specifically examining the impact of material stimuli, surface treatment processes, product carriers, and environmental stimuli on consumers’ perceptions of uniqueness and emotional responses. A total of 335 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), with the results indicating that material stimuli and product stimuli were the strongest predictors of perceived uniqueness and emotional responses. Moreover, emotional response had a significantly stronger effect on purchase intention compared to uniqueness perception. Additionally, material familiarity positively moderated the relationship between emotional response and purchase intention. This study provides theoretical support for the marketing of WPCs, emphasizes the significance of integrating material properties, surface treatments, and usage environments in product design, and suggests new avenues for future research, particularly regarding the relationship between multisensory experiences and consumer behavior. Full article