Double-sided Adhesive Tape Research Articles

Improved detection of house infestations with triatomines using sticky traps: a paired-comparison trial in the Argentine Chaco

BackgroundWe conducted a matched-pairs trial of three methods for detecting house infestation with triatominae bugs in a well-defined endemic rural area in the Argentine Chaco.MethodsThe three methods included a simple double-sided adhesive tape (ST) installed near host resting sites; timed-manual collections with a dislodging aerosol (TMC, the reference method used by vector control programmes), and householders’ bug notifications (HN). Triatomine infestations were evaluated in 103 sites of 54 houses, including domiciles, kitchens and storerooms.ResultsIn domiciles where Triatoma infestans was collected, sensitivity of each single method decreased from 79% by ST and 77% by HN, to 57% by TMC, and increased to 92% when ST was combined with HN. In peridomestic kitchens and storerooms, TMC was relatively as sensitive as ST and significantly more sensitive than HN. On average, the number of bugs recovered by ST was 0.94 times that collected by TMC. The ST mainly collected early-instar nymphs whereas TMC yielded late (larger) stages. Triatomines caught by ST had significantly lower mean weight-to-length ratios and lower blood-feeding rates than those caught by TMC, suggesting the ST intercepted and trapped vectors seeking a blood meal host.ConclusionsThe ST may effectively replace TMC for detecting T. infestans in domiciles, and is especially apt for early detection of low-density domestic infestations in the frame of community-based surveillance or elimination programmes; decision making on whether an area should be targeted for full-coverage insecticide spraying, and to corroborate that extant conditions are compatible with the interruption of vector-borne transmission.

МИКРОМОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ СТРУКТУРА СЕМЯН У НЕКОТОРЫХ ВИДОВ LATHYRUS L. НА ЮЖНОМ КАВКАЗЕ (АЗЕРБАЙДЖАН)

For the first time, micromorphology structure of seeds in 10 species (L. annuus, L. cicera, L. hirsutus, L. tuberosus, L. miniatus, L. pratensis, L. laxiflorus, L. aphaca, L. nissolia, L. sphaericus) belonging to sections (Lathyrus, Pratensis, Aphaca, Nissolia, Linearicarpus) of Lathyrus L. collected from various regions of Azerbaijan were analysed. Seed samples of 10 species were taken for analysis from different biotopes and different populations located away from one-another. Collected seed materials were gathered in special sterile paper bags and their moisture was dried with silicagel substance in laboratory conditions. During the research, morphological characters, as well as general shape, size and colour of seed, length and width of hilum were identified under Leica EZ4D stereomicroscope. The largest seeds have been measured in Lathyrus (L. cicera 4,4–5,0 mm) section and the smallest seeds in Nissolia (L. nissolia 1,8–2,3 mm) section. The longest hilum belongs to L. miniatus 1,8–2,8 mm and the smallest in L. Nissolia 0,4–0,7 mm. The width hilum was measured in L. annuus (0,7–1,0 mm) and the narrow hilum L. nissolia (0,1–0,3 mm). Mature seed (2–3) samples were selected from each type under the SEM, the seeds were placed on stools with double-sided adhesive tapes and covered with gold powder through the JEOL JFC1600 ion-spray device for 1 to 2 minutes. Seed samples were researched on the side surface. The photos of the surface of seeds were taken in a 3000× size in JEOL JSM6610 lv electronic microscope, and structural analysis of the different places of their surfaces was conducted. The results showed that the microscopic research of the surface of seed is of taxonomic importance and is used in specification of the status of sections. The morphological properties such as surface structure, hilum length and width, papillae features can be used to differentiate some sections and species, but seed size, general shape seed and hilum, seed colour are not characteristics can be used to differentiate some sections.

Spatially resolved polymer classification using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and multivariate statistics

Synthetic polymers and plastics have become one of the most important materials in our modern world and everyday life with all kinds of applications mainly due to their wide range of excellent and tuneable properties. Several novel materials consisting of multiple different synthetic polymers or composite materials like natural-fiber-reinforced polymer composites have already been reported in literature. Additionally, materials consisting of multiple synthetic polymers already found their way in our daily lives (e.g. double-sided adhesive tape). With emerging materials consisting of different structured synthetic polymers, the need for analytical methods characterizing these kinds of sample also arises. Conventionally, analytical techniques such as FT-IR or Raman spectroscopy are used for polymer classification. Although, these techniques offer laterally resolved investigations they lack the possibility of analyzing depth profiles. In this work, we present laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a novel and powerful analytical method for spatially resolved polymer classification. As a feasibility study, two exemplary structured synthetic polymer samples (2D structured and multilayer system) have been analyzed using LIBS and the spatial distribution of 5 different synthetic polymers, namely acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene (PE), polyacrylate (PAK) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been successfully classified using multivariate statistical approaches (principal component analysis (PCA) and k-means clustering). Spatially resolved classification results were validated by comparing the obtained distribution of the 2D structured sample to the elemental distribution of a contamination present in one of the synthetic polymers. Classification of the polymeric multilayer system was validated by comparing the obtained results to a microscopic cross-section. It was shown that LIBS cannot only be used to investigate 2D structured polymer samples but also for direct analysis of depth profiles. Besides synthetic polymer classification, LIBS provides simultaneous analysis of the elemental composition of the sample, which increases the total amount of information accessible with only one measurement.

Power harvesting from physiological serum in microfluidic enzymatic biofuel cell

The microfluidic biofuel cells have the potential to be improved for officially using in biomedical devices as a power source. It is noted that the basic design criterion of the power generating device such as glucose biofuel cell is a challenging task, especially in the presence of body fluids. In this study, a new glucose/O2 microfluidic biofuel cell based on printed circuit board and double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape was demonstrated. The electrodes of microfluidic biofuel cell were reduced graphene oxide‑gold nanoparticles-poly neutral red composite linked to Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase as a bioanode and Mytheliophthora thermophile laccase for biocathode. The open circuit voltage (OCV) and maximum power density of the microfluidic biofuel cell operating in physiological serum (pH 5.5) have obtained 0.2 V and 3.6 μW cm−2 at a flow rate of 50 μL min−1, respectively. The features of this rapid prototyping fabrication method, such as need not access to expensive clean room facility and affordability make it highly suitable for utilizing in resource poor environment.

New methods of removing debris and high-throughput counting of cyst nematode eggs extracted from field soil.

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, is the most damaging pathogen of soybeans in the United States. To assess the severity of nematode infestations in the field, SCN egg population densities are determined. Cysts (dead females) of the nematode must be extracted from soil samples and then ground to extract the eggs within. Sucrose centrifugation commonly is used to separate debris from suspensions of extracted nematode eggs. We present a method using OptiPrep as a density gradient medium with improved separation and recovery of extracted eggs compared to the sucrose centrifugation technique. Also, computerized methods were developed to automate the identification and counting of nematode eggs from the processed samples. In one approach, a high-resolution scanner was used to take static images of extracted eggs and debris on filter papers, and a deep learning network was trained to identify and count the eggs among the debris. In the second approach, a lensless imaging setup was developed using off-the-shelf components, and the processed egg samples were passed through a microfluidic flow chip made from double-sided adhesive tape. Holographic videos were recorded of the passing eggs and debris, and the videos were reconstructed and processed by custom software program to obtain egg counts. The performance of the software programs for egg counting was characterized with SCN-infested soil collected from two farms, and the results using these methods were compared with those obtained through manual counting.

A Novel Paper-plastic Microfluidic Hybrid Chip Integrated with a Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Dengue Nonstructural Protein 1 Antigen Detection

This study presents an easy paper-plastic hybrid microfluidic chip fabrication method that explored the use of oven baking a wax-printed pattern for microfluidic channel assembly combined with the use of a double-sided adhesive tape for layer binding. More specifically, the method includes printing of a wax pattern onto the CA film & oven baking of the pattern along with the backed NC membrane at 120°C for 2.5 minutes. The porous nature of the NC membrane allows the wax pattern to enter into its pores during the baking process and binds the backed NC membrane with the CA film. Attachment of the engraved PMMA layer was performed to increase the structural support. The engraved hole of the layer allows the conjugate pad with space for its integration into the system. Moreover, the antibodies required for the integration of the chip with the LFIA were selected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A CA film, an NC membrane, and a PMMA sheet were used to develop a microfluidic chip that can be integrated with a sandwich format lateral flow immunoassay used to detect dengue non-structural 1 protein. The fabricated chip was able to successfully detect a concentration of dengue non-structural 1 protein of at least 84.66 ng/mL.

THE METHOD OF PREPARING SOIL SAMPLES FOR SOIL – WATER CONTACT ANGLE MEASUREMENT USING SESSILE-DROP TECHNIQUE

The method of soil samples preparation for measuring the (wetting) contact angle (CA) of the soil solid phase surface using membrane filters is proposed. The samples of kaolinite, a standard sample of chernozem and samples of agro-chestnut soil were taken for the experiment. The results of the CA measurements using two types of sample preparation for the analysis were compared. The first method of sample preparation was to apply a sample to a double-sided adhesive tape; the second method involved the deposition of suspensions of the studied samples of certain concentrations on membrane filters. The advantages and disadvantages of each sample preparation method are described. The significant difference in the obtained CA values depending on the sample preparation for measurement was revealed. The method of sample preparation with the use of membrane filters developed by the authors made it possible to reduce the CA measurement error by more than 2 times. Reducing the variation of the CA value of a single sample will allow comparing similar soil samples, including soils of the same type, but involved in different land use systems.

Waterproofing performance of waterstop with adhesive bonding used at joints of underground concrete structures

Waterstop is a typically used waterproofing material to prevent water leakage through the joints where consecutive concrete casting is not possible during the construction of underground concrete structures. A conventional waterstop, however, frequently allows for water passage through the interface between a waterstop and concrete under a high water-pressure environment owing to a deep excavation depth and high groundwater table. An alternative solution proposed in this study is to use artificial adhesive bonding between the waterstop and concrete using double-sided adhesive tape to actively prohibit water leakage through joints under a high hydrostatic pressure. The performance of the proposed waterproofing system was experimentally evaluated and compared with the control system (without adhesive). The results indicated that the adhesive bonding type resisted water migration under the pressure head of 30 m, whereas the conventional waterstop could not effectively waterproof even at the pressure head of 10 m in the soundly constructed cementitious composite structures. In addition, the peel strength, which is the bonding strength between the adhesive tape and cementitious composite, was measured to quantify the effect of surface contamination of the waterstop on the interface bonding strength. The adhesive tape on the surface of the waterstop was “contaminated” by either or both sand and bentonite slurry for the peel strength test. The results indicate that the surface contamination of the waterstop does not induce a meaningful reduction in the bonding strength for the tested conditions.

Effective cleanup of oil contamination on bio-inspired superhydrophobic surface.

The oil-water separation is a popular issue and the removal of oil from bulk water is also meaningful especially in oil spill incident, which not only wastes valuable energy resources but also threatens the ecological system and human health. Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic materials are very promising for the efficient oil removal from bulk water. Reported herein was a novel and easily operated superhydrophobic surface dip coating from a paint-like suspension containing two different sizes TiO2 and perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane. Aluminum foil substrate, which is flexile and cost-efficient, was bonded with commercial water-proof double-sided adhesive tape (DSAT) to fix the paint to improve the mechanical strength. The coated aluminum foil exhibited rapid sorption/desorption rate (267L/hm2), high oil sorption capacity (21g/g), and excellent recyclability (≫ 15 recycling times). After 15 recycling times of sorption/desorption, the coated surface morphology still remained hierarchical micro- and nanostructures and the water contact angle still reached ~ 150°, indicating its superhydrophobic property. Meanwhile, the cost of oil removal of the coated material can match that of the commercial sorbent. We anticipate that the coated superhydrophobic aluminum foil will show outstanding performances on oil absorption and have good applications on a large scale.

Water-solid triboelectrification with self-repairable surfaces for water-flow energy harvesting

A new repairable water-solid triboelectric nanogenerator (W-TENG) based on superhydrophobic surface is fabricated to harvest water-flow energy. The superhydrophobic triboelectrode with micro- and nanostructures is prepared by adhering polyvinylidene fluorid (PVDF) nanospheres to a polyimide (PI) film through a double-sided adhesive tape followed with a fluorination process. When water flows through the superhydrophobic surfaces with a flow rate of 0.3 m/s, the W-TENGs array could easily harvest water-flow energy to obtain a current output of 20 μA which can light more than 30 commercial LEDs or be used for self-powered sensors to detect concentration change of chemicals pollutants in water. More importantly, when the superhydrophobic surface is damaged during long-term working, it could be self-repaired by releasing the fluorinated alkyl silane packed in pores of adhesive tape surface, and a self-repairable W-TENG is achieved. Given its easy fabrication and self-healing properties, the W-TENG and W-TENGs array have promising practical use in oceans and rivers energies harvesting, especially in some remote areas, for early warning, indicator light and self-powered detection sensors.

Analyzing Solid-Phase Natural Organic Matter Using Laser Desorption Ionization Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Extensive sample preparation procedures are required to analyze natural organic matter (NOM) in soil and sediment samples due to the mineral matrix. The preparation procedure not only requires a large amount of sample (typically more than 50 mg), but NOM extraction is frequently incomplete. In this study, 2-5 μg of solid NOM or 500 μg of unprocessed soil samples were fixed on a metal plate using double-sided adhesive tape and analyzed directly using laser desorption ionization (LDI) and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (UHR-MS). Most of the peaks reported in previous LDI UHR-MS studies using NOM solutions were observed, and an additional ∼2200 unique peaks were found by analyzing the fulvic acids direct solid phase. Differences in the molecular composition of NOM in solid samples were seen clearly with minimum sample preparation. Lignin- and tannin-type molecules were detected in both Elliott soil and topsoil from Kyungpook National University campus. The data presented in this study demonstrate a proof-of-principle that highly sensitive, direct, molecular level analysis of solid-phase NOM from unprocessed soil samples and minimum sample preparation is possible.

Surface with Reversible Green-Light-Switched Wettability by Donor–Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts

In this report, we designed surfaces with reversible green-light-switched wettability via donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs). Photoresponsive micro/nanoparticles were prepared by coating the surfaces of silica micro/nanoparticles with polydopamine and then postmodifying with DASA molecules. Then, the particles were immobilized on a glass substrate surfaces either with double-sided adhesive tape or cross-linking poly(dimethylsiloxane). Silica micro/nanoparticles with various diameters (0.2, 2.5, and 85 μm) were used to fabricate the photoresponsive surface. Green light irradiation switches the hydrophobic linear DASA to a hydrophilic cyclic isomer, which further increases the wettability and contact angle hysteresis on the surface. On the other hand, heating (100 °C) induces the cyclic-to-linear isomerization of DASA molecules and switches the surface back to hydrophobic. The wettability of the DASA-modified surface is reversible under alternate green light irradiation and heating.

Assessing trunk flexo-extension during sit-to-stand test variant in male and female healthy subjects through inertial sensors

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of the present study was to measure trunk flexo-extension during different Sit-To-Stand (STS) tasks and to analyze differences in those variables when STS repetitions are increased, by using an inertial sensor.Methods: In this cross-sectional study trunk flexo-extension was obtained through inertial measurements using an inertial sensor placed on the flat part of the sternum with the Y transversally oriented and attached using double-sided adhesive tape. Trunk flexo-extension was expressed along the Y axis (pitch angle) in a sagittal plane, representing antero-posterior motion (degrees, °). Descriptive anthropometric independent variables were also recorded. Subject had to sit and rise from a 43 cm high chair at a speed of 40 bpm in 5, 10 and 15 repetitions of STS variants.Results: Men showed higher mean mobility (between 41.51° and 43.23°) than women (between 32.16° and 33.31°) in all STS test, although significant was only found for 10-STS and 15-STS (<0.05). Male gender showed stronger Pearson correlation between each test than female gender. In men, correlations were highly significant in all tests (r between 0.891 and 0.939). However, in the case of women, significance varied between each test comparison (r between 0.474 and 0.745). There were no significant differences observed between trunk flexo-extension and STS variants (p = 0.908; F = 0.097).Conclusion: Men showed a wider range of trunk motion and a more consistent pattern than women through STS variants. However, no significant differences were found in mobility between each test. The results provided in this study should be taken into account when performing STS in this population and should be applied only to a healthy population.

Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Colpocephalum nanum Piaget, 1890 (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Colpocephalidae)

The aim of this study was to examine the morphological characteristics of Colpocephalum nanum (C. nanum) Piaget, 1890 using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For this purpose, the C. nanum specimens collected from long-legged buzzards, Buteo rufinus (B. rufinus) (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae), in Turkey were examined under LM and SM for morphological characteristics. The specimens were fixed and kept in 70% ethanol, cleared and mounted on the slides in Canada balsam. They were examined for morphological characteristics under LM. Some of the samples were put in a plate on absorbing paper and kept overnight, for ether to evaporate. These samples were mounted on aluminum stubs to study the ventral surface by placing them on their dorsal or ventral surface on double-sided adhesive tape. They were sputter-coated three times with gold, each time for approximately 7 minutes and later viewed using SEM (Zeiss SUPRA 55 VP FE-SEM and Zeiss EVO lS 10). Parts of the specimens were photographed, and the obtained data about morphological characteristic were evaluated in detail. The LM and SEM photos of C. nanum were compared, and information about the important criteria for diagnosis and other morphological characteristics was obtained.

Capacitance-based stress self-sensing in cement paste without requiring any admixture

This work reports capacitance-based stress self-sensing in cement paste without requiring any particular admixture (whatever type). The in-plane capacitance is measured between two coplanar electrodes (aluminum foil) adhered to the cement slab by double-sided adhesive tape. The capacitance decreases with increasing normal stress, whether the stress is purely compressive or flexural compressive, due to piezoelectricity. The capacitance decrease is completely reversible in the low-stress regime (normal stress up to 19 kPa), and partially reversible above this stress. The minimum normal stress change detected is 0.2 kPa, which, in case of flexure, corresponds to a flexural stress change of 8.5 kPa. The change in capacitance per unit normal stress change is up to 0.061 and 0.101 pF/kPa for purely compressive and flexural compressive loading, respectively; the value is higher in the low-stress regime, which gives superior linearity and reversibility. Low-stress sensing is relevant to pedestrian monitoring and room occupancy monitoring.

Taxonomic Importance of Pollen Morphology for Some Species of Brassicaceae.

Pollen morphology is one of the significant tools in solving some taxonomic problems on the family, generic or specific level and has become part of the multidisciplinary and collaborative approach in plant systematic and evolution. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and describe the pollen morphology of 10 species belongs to 9 genera and five tribes of Brassicaceae from eastern region of Saudi Arabia by using light and scanning electron microscope. To study the pollen morphology for ten species representing 9 genera and 5 tribes of Brassicaceae the Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). For the SEM the pollen was placed directly on brass stubs without treatment and mounted onto a metallic stub with a double-sided adhesive tape. Gold coating of few nanometers was applied using sputter coating machine (Quorum, Q150R ES, UK) to avoid charging and capture high quality images. Two statistical program; PRIMER 6, version 6.1.6 and SPSS version 16are used to fine the relationships among the studied species. The shape of pollen grains recorded three types; prolate, subprolate and prolate-spheroidal, the main types were prolate. The apertures were tricolpate in all studied species. Exine ornamentation of studied species recorded two types; reticulate and coarsely reticulate. The results of numerical analysis showed that species were grouped into two major clusters and each cluster divided into two groups. The results show that the morphology of pollen grains cannot be useful for taxonomical classification of the tribes but can be useful for differentiate between species belong to the same genera.

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for multielement analysis of powdered materials used in additive technologies

ABSTRACTAdditive manufacturing technologies utilizing metal parts production with layer by layer printing are of high demand for different fields of science and technology. Analytical chemistry is challenged to provide multielemental quantitative analysis of any metal powders within a few minutes and onsite to fulfil the requirements for high quality metal parts production. Powder materials utilized in additive technologies were quantitatively analyzed by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for the first time. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy mapping of loose metal powder attached to the double-sided adhesive tape provided high reproducibility of measurements even for powder mixtures with large difference of particles densities (tungsten carbide particles in nickel alloy powder). Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy analytical capabilities were estimated for tungsten and carbon analysis by calibration curve construction and accuracy estimation by leave-one-out cross-validation procedure. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy techniques comparison revealed better results for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis. Improved accuracy of analysis and capability to quantify light elements (carbon, etc.) demonstrated the potential of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy as a promising technique for express onsite multielement analysis of powder materials utilized in additive technologies.

Sensing the stress in steel by capacitance measurement

This paper provides the first report of the sensing of stress in a metal (namely steel and stainless steel) by capacitance measurement. The method involves the measurement of the in-plane capacitance (2 kHz) between two coplanar electrodes that are on the same surface of the specimen. The capacitance decreases with increasing normal compressive stress. The fractional decrease in capacitance (up to 20%) is higher than the compressive strain calculated based on the elastic modulus by orders of magnitude. The capacitance decrease is essentially reversible and is attributed to the direct piezoelectric effect. Because an LCR meter is not designed to measure the capacitance of an electrical conductor, it is essential for a dielectric film to be positioned between the electrode and specimen. Two configurations are used for the electrodes. Configuration I involves aluminum foil as the electrode and a stack of 3 layers of double-sided adhesive tape as the dielectric film; no pressure is used. Configuration II involves copper sheet as the electrode and a glass fiber polymer-matrix composite film as the dielectric film, with normal pressure applied to the stack. The fractional decrease in capacitance per unit stress is much greater for configuration I than configuration II. Configuration I is better for sensing low stresses, whereas configuration II is better for sensing high stresses. Configuration I is less expensive and more practical than configuration II.

Adhesively bonded joint strengthened by double-sided adhesive tape

Adhesively bonded joint strengthened by double-sided adhesive tape

Razor-printed sticker microdevices for cell-based applications.

Tape-based razor-printing is a flexible and affordable ultra-rapid prototyping approach for microscale device fabrication. However, integration of this prototyping approach into cell-based assay development has been limited to proof of principle demonstrations. This is in large part due to lack of an established or well-characterized option for biocompatible adhesive tape. Without such an option, integration of these areas will remain unexplored. Therefore, to address this critical hurdle, we characterized microscale devices made using a potentially biocompatible double-sided adhesive, ARCare 90106. We validated tape-based device performance against 96-well plates and PDMS microdevices with respect to cell viability, hydrophobic small molecule sequestration, the potential for leaching compounds, use in fluorescence microscopy, and outgassing (bubble formation). Results supported the tape as a promising tool for future cell-based assay development. Therefore, we subsequently demonstrated specific strengths enabled by the ultra-rapid (<1 h per prototype) and affordable (∼$1200 cutting plotter, <$0.05 per prototype) approach. Specifically, data demonstrate the ability to integrate disparate materials for advanced sticker-device functionality such as bonding of polystyrene devices to glass substrates for microscopy applications, inclusion of membranes, and incorporation of different electrospun biomaterials into a single device. Likewise, the approach allowed rapid adoption by uninitiated users. Overall, this study provides a necessary and unique contribution to the largely separate fields of tape-based razor-printing and cell-based microscale assay development by addressing a critical barrier to widespread integration and adoption while also demonstrating the potential for new and future applications.