High Resistance Research Articles

Assessment of adaptive properties of winter triticale cultivars by yield in the Middle Urals

Triticale is a versatile crop with high yield potential but insufficient resistance to unfavourable growing conditions. Therefore, the combination of high yield, adaptability, plasticity, stability and stress resistance of varieties is of great importance. The purpose of the research is to assess the adaptive potential of winter triticale cultivars according to the "yield" trait in agroecological conditions of the Middle Urals. Field studies were conducted in the Udmurt Republic in the years with contrasting weather conditions (2021–2023), the index of environmental conditions varied from -128 to 152. Forty-five cultivars of various ecological and geographical origin were studied. The analysis of the adaptive potential of the cultivars was carried out using various statistical methods. As a result, the most adaptive cultivars for the agroecological conditions of the Middle Urals were identified. The cultivars ‘Beta’, ‘Tribune’, ‘Topaz’, ‘Linda’ (Russia), ‘Mayak’, ‘Ales’ (Belarus), ‘Torchinsky’ (Ukraine) were char- acterized by high responsiveness to improving environmental conditions (bi = 1.82 2.01). The cultivars ‘Giray’, ‘Bereket’, ‘Ataman Platov’ (Russia), ‘Amulet’ (Belarus) showed relatively high stress resistance. The cultivars ‘Beta’, ‘Zimogor’, AD 1405, ‘Topaz’, ‘Kornet’ (Russia) were distinguished by a high compensatory ability. The cultivars ‘Bereket’ and ‘Ataman Platov’ had the lowest yield variability and at the same time high homeostaticity. When ranking the tested cultivars according to the listed indicators, the top ten most stable and plastic cultivars were ‘Zimogor’, ‘Kornet’, ‘Ataman Platov’, ‘Bereket’, ‘Nemchinovsky 56’, ‘Izhevskaya 2’, ‘Imprint’, ‘Bard’ (Russia), ‘Impulse’ (Belarus), ‘Chernobrivets’ (Ukraine), with a total ranking score from 55 to 95 points. The listed cultivars can be classified as the most valuable. In the agroecological conditions of the Middle Urals, it is advisable to cultivate varieties that combine high yields and adaptability – ‘Zimogor’, ‘Kornet’, ‘Izhevskaya 2’, and according to intensive technology – ‘Beta’ cultivar. The cultivars ‘Ataman Platov’, ‘Chernobrivets’, ‘Bereket’, ‘Bard’, ‘Impulse’, ‘Nemchinovsky 56’ also have practical value as a source material in the breeding of winter triticale to increase productivity and adaptability. A comparison of different methods for determining the adaptability of cultivars to specific environmental conditions showed the practical equivalence of the indicators of yield range, yield variation coefficient and homeostaticity.

Efficacy of Shampoo Made from Bangle Rhizome Extract (Zingiber montanum) Against Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis)

Head lice is a major public health problem worldwide. Its treatment is challenging due to product failures resulting from rapidly emerging resistance to existing treatments, incorrect treatment application, and misdiagnosis. Various head lice treatments with different mechanisms of action have been developed and explored over the years, with limited reports on systematic assessments of their efficacy and safety. The head lice shampoo currently in circulation is 1% permethrin-based. Side effects of using permethrin-based shampoos include skin irritation and high resistance. The research conducted aims to present strong evidence that the use of shampoo made from bangle rhizome extract against head lice mortality is safer to use. The study used 240 head lice taken from elementary school students aged 8-12 years in a school in Bekasi. The study group was divided into 6 groups: negative control group (using baby shampoo), positive control group (using permethrin-based anti-lice shampoo), shampoo treatment group made from bangle rhizome extract with dose of 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 4%. In addition to calculating the number of head lice deaths per group, the time of death was also calculated to determine LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50), LC90 (Lethal Concentration 90), LT50 (Lethal Time 50), and LT90 (Lethal Time 90). The results showed a highly significant difference between the number of head lice deaths in the control group and the shampoo treatment group made from bangle rhizome extract (p<0.01). Likewise, there was a highly significant difference for the time of death of head lice in the control group and the shampoo treatment group made from bangle rhizome extract. Statistical analysis showed LC50 of 0.96%, LC90 of 2.84%, LT50 of 57.72 minutes, and LT90 of 28.79 minutes. It can be concluded that the effective dose of shampoo made from bangle rhizome extract is 4%, which can kill 100% of head lice within 27 minutes.

A new type of high thermal shock resistance tool for inhibiting thermal crack

Due to the periodic alternation of hot and cold in the cutting process, cutting tools often fail owing to thermal cracks, making it difficult to intermittently cutting materials. Therefore, in order to suppress the initiation of thermal cracks in cutting tools, a new type of high thermal shock resistance oblique gradient cutting tool (marked as TDZ-X) has been fabricated. The material system of the cutting tool is designed by the temperature field model of the cutting tool. The direction angle of TDZ-X is accurately designed based on the thermal crack initiation area of the tool. A new method for studying the thermal fatigue properties of tool materials is proposed, the tool is heated by ultra-fast picosecond laser to simulate the thermal shock in the milling process. The thermal fatigue resistance and the thermal shock resistance of TDZ-X, the gradient tool and the homogeneous tool are compared and studied, the results show those of TDZ-X are best than those of the other two tool materials. Through the design of TDZ-X, the thermal shock resistance of the tool material has been significantly improved, and the effectiveness of inhibiting thermal crack initiation has been verified by cutting experiments, which provides a new method for design and fabrication of discontinuous cutting tools with long tool life and high reliability.

A High-Methanol-Permeation Resistivity Polyamide-Based Proton Exchange Membrane Fabricated via a Hyperbranching Design.

Four non-fluorinated sulfonimide polyamides (s-PAs) were successfully synthesized and a series of membranes were prepared by blending s-PA with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to achieve high-methanol-permeation resistivity for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Four membranes were fabricated by blending 50 wt% PVDF with s-PA, named BPD-101, BPD-102, BPD-111 and BPD-211, respectively. The s-PA/PVDF membranes exhibit high methanol resistivity, especially for the BPD-111 membrane with methanol resistivity of 8.13 × 10-7 cm2/s, which is one order of magnitude smaller than that of the Nafion 117 membrane. The tensile strength of the BPD-111 membrane is 15 MPa, comparable to that of the Nafion 117 membrane. Moreover, the four membranes also show good thermal stability up to 230 °C. The BPD-x membrane exhibits good oxidative stability, and the measured residual weights of the BPD-111 membrane are 97% and 93% after treating in Fenton's reagent (80 °C) for 1 h and 24 h, respectively. By considering the mechanical, thermal and dimensional properties, the polyamide proton-exchange membrane exhibits promising application potential for direct methanol fuel cells.

The important factors for structure and mechanical properties in the repair of iron base metal component by thermal spray and welding processes

Cast iron is widely used in the manufacturing industry due to its high strength and wear resistance properties. However, cast iron's brittle nature results in frequent failure of cracks during formation or use. Among the repair methods that can be used are thermal spray and the welding process. Even though both welding and thermal spray have been implemented for various metal repairs processes, however very limited technical reports as well as scientific papers are found for this topic. Therefore, the optimum condition of metal repair by both processes is still needed to be explored. The present works focus on the comparison between thermal spray and welding method for cast iron repairs purposes. In the experiment of thermal spray process focus has been given in optimizing spraying distance on microstructure and hardness properties. On the other hand, in the welding experimental works focus has been given on the influence of groove design on microstructure and hardness. Each research variable is carried out to obtain optimal crack repair results. It was observed that thermal spray process produces less Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) area compared to the welding process therefore having less critical area. The highest hardness value of thermal spray method is 101.33 shown by 30 cm spraying distance. Meanwhile, the highest hardness value of HAZ area of welding method is 600 HV shown by specimen A. It was obtained that from the present experimental works, thermal spray process produces better results than welding process. However, the value of the specimen hardness produced by the welding and thermal spray method depends on the type of coating material used

AOC3 accelerates lung metastasis of osteosarcoma by recruiting tumor-associated neutrophils, neutrophil extracellular trap formation and tumor vascularization

Osteosarcoma (OS) has strong invasiveness, early metastasis, high drug resistance, and poor prognosis. At present, OS still lacks reliable biomarkers, which makes early diagnosis of OS more difficult. AOC3 is highly expressed in OS and highly correlated with lung metastasis. qRT-PCR could identify mRNA levels of genes. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays could detect protein levels. Immunofluorescence and ELISA assays were applied to evaluate the activation of neutrophils. Additionally, transwell and wound healing assays evaluated cell migration and invasion abilities. Tube formation and sphere-forming assays were applied to detect the angiogenesis. C57BL/6 mice were injected with OS cells to establish a xenograft tumor model to observe the lung metastasis of OS. Flow cytometry is used to evaluate the ability of tumor cells to recruit neutrophils. AOC3 was significantly overexpressed in OS, and down-regulation of AOC3 could inhibit OS migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. AOC3 could increase tumor development and lung metastasis of OS in vivo experiments. The promoting effect of AOC3 on tumor lung metastasis was achieved by recruiting tumor neutrophils. Activated NETs could up-regulate the metastatic ability of OS cells. Tumor neovascularization also played a role in metastasis, and AOC3 supported tumor neovascularization. AOC3 accelerates lung metastasis of OS by recruiting tumor-related neutrophils and utilizing NETs and tumor vascularization formation.

Room-temperature mL-to-μL quantitative liquid concentration device for cyclone flow.

Highly sensitive quantitative analysis of liquids is required in various fields. Analytical instruments and devices such as chromatography, spectroscopic analysis, DNA sequencers, immunoassay, mass spectrometry, and microfluidic devices are utilized for this purpose. Typically, the sample volume is at the milliliter scale, while the analysis volume is at the microliter scale. Consequently, most of the sample is discarded. Therefore, a universal volume interface is required to quantitatively concentrate samples from milliliter to microliter volume. This study introduces a liquid quantitative function to the cyclone concentration method using a millimeter-scale channel, which is highly suitable for controlling liquids at the microliter scale due to its high fluidic resistance against cyclone flow. This method enables the effective control of liquid concentration by cyclone flow. The optimum channel structure is investigated, and a 33-fold concentration of aqueous solutions is demonstrated. Finally, the concentration device is applied to measure molybdenum ions in a river.

An ultrasensitive and specific fluorescence split-aptasensor for VEGF165 detection based on nicking enzyme-assisted 3D DNA walker coupling with CRISPR-Cas12a

The overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) in cancer cells plays a pivotal role in promoting tumor metastasis by facilitating their excessively rapid proliferation and division. Hence, the development of analytical methods possessing high sensitivity and resistance to interference is imperative for the detection of VEGF165. Various types of aptasensors have been devised for VEGF165 detection; however, the performance of these biosensors can be influenced by non-target signals caused by conformational changes in unbound aptamers. The paper shows the creation of a precise and sensitive fluorescence biosensor designed to detect VEGF165 by using a VEGF165-specific split aptamer. Additionally, this biosensor employs nicking enzyme-assisted DNA walker coupling with CRISPR-Cas12a to achieve dual-signal amplification. The VEGF165 calibration curve shows a detection limit of 268 fM and has a broad linear range from 5 to 4000 nM. The fluorometric biosensor was utilized to detect VEGF165 in human serum and cellular homogenate samples, yielding good outcomes. The innovative design serves as proof of concept and demonstrates significant potential in detecting various targets.

Flexible and high-strength MXene/polyimide nanofiber aerogel membranes achieving infrared stealth through combined thermal control and low emissivity

The development of high-performance infrared stealth materials has been a long-standing goal for scientists. Despite their excellent performance, these materials are challenging to fabricate. In this work, a simple water immerse-stacking assembly process is employed to transform two-dimensional nanofiber membranes into three-dimensional aerogel membranes. Directional freezing from different directions induced varied orientations in the polyimide nanofibers (PINF), leading not only to unique anisotropic microstructures and thermal conductivities but also to synergistic enhancements in thermal insulation and mechanical properties. By vacuum-assisted filtration, MXene is embedded into the PINF membrane, resulting in a low emissivity of 0.283 and strong interlayer bonding of the MXene/PINF aerogel membrane without affecting the high and low-temperature resistance, the tensile strength, and the flexibility. Inspired by the art of origami, two types of MXene/PINF aerogel membrane bags are developed. When using one of the bags to cover an object at 130.2 °C, the thermal radiation temperature decreases to 28.9 °C. This study provides a promising approach for designing flexible, high-strength, and efficient infrared stealth composite materials, paving the way for further research and applications.

Tribocorrosion in nitric acid of Zr alloy, Ti alloy, and 310 SS used for reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel

The tribocorrosion behavior of the three representative dissolver materials, namely zirconium (Zr) alloy, 310 stainless steel (SS), and titanium (Ti) alloy in HNO3 was systematically investigated by SEM, XPS, and Nanoindentation. The results revealed that Zr alloy possesses high corrosion resistance but a less favorable tribocorrosion resistance, whereas 310 SS presents a comparatively better tribocorrosion resistance but insufficient corrosion resistance. Moreover, both the coefficient of friction and wear loss of all three alloys were decreased at 0.8 V compared to −0.8 V, demonstrating an antagonistic effect of corrosion on wear, attributed to the lubrication and hardness enhancement of oxide layers. The present work offers a new perspective on the tribocorrosion behavior of continuous dissolvers used for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.

Using Transcriptomics to Determine the Mechanism for the Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight of a Wheat-Th. elongatum Translocation Line.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by the Fusarium graminearum species complex, is a destructive disease in wheat worldwide. The lack of FHB-resistant germplasm is a barrier in wheat breeding for resistance to FHB. Thinopyrum elongatum is an important relative that has been successfully used for the genetic improvement of wheat. In this study, a translocation line, YNM158, with the YM158 genetic background carrying a fragment of diploid Th. elongatum 7EL chromosome created using 60Co-γ radiation, showed high resistance to FHB under both field and greenhouse conditions. Transcriptome analysis confirmed that the horizontal transfer gene, encoding glutathione S-transferase (GST), is an important contributor to FHB resistance in the pathogen infection stage, whereas the 7EL chromosome fragment carries other genes regulated by F. graminearum during the colonization stage. Introgression of the 7EL fragment affected the expression of wheat genes that were enriched in resistance pathways, including the phosphatidylinositol signaling system, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, plant-pathogen interaction, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway at different stages after F. graminearium infection. This study provides a novel germplasm for wheat resistance to FHB and new insights into the molecular mechanisms of wheat resistance to FHB.

Magneto-elastic for wireless intraocular pressure monitoring

Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) can lead to optic nerve damage and various ocular diseases, including glaucoma, which is the primary cause of irreversible blindness. Thus, IOP monitoring is essential, but traditional tonometers are uncomfortable and inappropriate for continuous monitoring. Herein, we propose the combination of magneto-elastic sensing with smart contact lenses for IOP monitoring, offering the advantages of simple design, contactless detection, and low-frequency which is strong anti-interference. The Magneto-Elastic Sensor based IOP Monitoring System combines a magnetic contact lens (MCL) with a wireless signal reading circuit. When the MCL undergoes deformation in response to changes in IOP, this deformation affects the inductance value of the detecting coil, and the circuit collects data from the detecting coil to measure the variations in IOP. The MCL utilizes the commonly available and cost-effective Fe3O4 as the sensing layer. The sensing approach achieved a sensitivity of 0.114 nH/mmHg on an artificial rubber eye in vitro, while also demonstrating high resistance to interference from daily objects and the human body. Besides, this non-contact method allows for continuous, convenient, and comfortable monitoring of IOP. The system demonstrates the potential for integration into the metaverse and has shown high biocompatibility and comfortable wearability through testing.

Enhanced electrical properties and Vickers hardness of calcium bismuth niobate ceramics by W/Co substituted at B-site

Calcium bismuth niobate (CBN) ceramic, as a core element of high-temperature piezoelectric sensors, has attracted widespread attention due to its high Curie temperature within the class of Aurivillius compounds. However, CBN usually faces two shortcomings: poor piezoelectric constant and low resistivity. In this work, CBN-based ceramics with donor–acceptor ions (W/Co) co-substituted at B-site were prepared by solid-state reaction method, and structure–property relationship of ceramics was studied in detail. Co-substitution of W/Co ions effectively improved the electrical property and hardness of CBN ceramics. CaBi2Nb[Formula: see text](W[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]O9 exhibits enhanced electrical and mechanical properties including high resistivity of [Formula: see text]cm at 500°C, piezoelectric constant of [Formula: see text] pC/N and hardness value of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GPa. These values are two orders of magnitude, over two times, and 1.36 times higher than those of pure CBN ceramic, respectively. This work provides a reference for exploring other bismuth-layered structural ceramics.

Noncontact Fiber-Optic Cantilever-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy.

Conventional cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (CEPAS) usually requires the cantilever to be in contact with the gas, which limits its application in dusty and corrosive gas sensing. To overcome this challenge, this paper proposes noncontact fiber-optic cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (NCFO-CEPAS) for high-sensitivity trace gas analysis. A polyethylene film with corrosion-resistant properties is affixed to the end of the cantilever acoustic sensor, and the effect of the distance between the polyethylene film and the cantilever acoustic sensor on the sensitivity of the system is analyzed by finite element analysis. Compared to the conventional CEPAS, NCFO-CEPAS has a lower background noise deviation. Besides, the potential damage to the silicon cantilever beam by corrosive gases can be avoided as the gas to be measured is not in contact with the silicon cantilever beam, and the gap of the cantilever beam will not be blocked in a high dust environment. Experimental results show that the detection limit of C2H2 gas is 0.5 ppm, and the normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient reaches 5.93 × 10-9 cm-1 W Hz-1/2. The NCFO-CEPAS technique has the advantages of noncontact remote gas monitoring, not being corroded by gases, and high resistance to electromagnetic interference.

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli isolated from slaughtered pigs and slaughterhouse workers in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food chain remains a global public health concern for both humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, resistance profiles, and clonal relatedness of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum β-lactamases- producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) isolated from slaughtered pigs and slaughterhouse workers in Yaoundé, Cameroon.A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months, from February to May 2023 in two selected pig's slaughterhouse markets in Yaoundé. Rectal swabs were collected from 375 pigs at four time points and pooled per three according to gender, origin, and abattoirs leading to 125 pooled samples. Seven faecal samples from 60 contacted exposed workers were collected. Samples were cultured on CHROMagar™ ESBL medium, dark pink to reddish colonies were considered E. coli. Resistance genes including blaCTX-M, blaSHV and blaTEM were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) while ERIC-PCR was used to assess the genetic relatedness between isolates.The prevalence of ESBL-Ec was elevated among exposed workers (71.4 %; n = 5/7) and pigs (70.4 %; n = 88/125). Overall, ESBL-Ec exhibited high resistance to cefuroxime (100 %, n = 105/105), cefotaxime (100 %, n = 105/105), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (98.1 %, n = 103/105), cefixime (92.4 %, n = 97/105), tetracycline (86.7 %, n = 91/105) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (81.9 %, n = 86/105). However, these isolates showed good susceptibility to gentamicin (3.8 %, n = 4/105), chloramphenicol (8.6 %, n = 9/105), and fosfomycin (14.3 %, n = 15/105). All human isolates and 75.8 % (n = 75/99) of pig isolates were multi-drug resistant. The blaCTX-M was the most prevalent resistance gene among exposed workers (100 %, n = 6/6) and pigs (80.8 %, n = 80/99) followed by blaTEM (33.3 % each). High clonal relatedness of ESBL-Ec strains was observed among pig and human isolates across slaughterhouses.This study showed that the gastrointestinal tract of pigs might be an important reservoir of MDR and ESBL-Ec in Yaoundé, Cameroon and these resistant bacteria might be circulating between sources, especially humans. Heightening awareness on appropriate antibiotic use in humans and animals as well as implementing stringent biosecurity and food safety measures are imperative to prevent the emergence and spread of AMR in the country.

Automated External Bone Fixation Robot Design and Orthopedic Analysis

Background: Bone external fixation technology is an important therapeutic approach for limb correction, primarily involving a class of external fixation correction mechanisms. It has achieved good results in limb lengthening and correcting deformities to restore limb function. In clinical practice, existing correction mechanisms face challenges such as high resistance between components, complex installation procedures, and high precision requirements for installation, requiring manual adjustment by physicians, which limits precise control and quantification of correction parameters. Objective: To address these issues, an automated correction bone external fixation robot was designed based on traditional Ilizarov external fixation devices(TIEFD). Methods: By increasing the number of unidirectional hinge connections, the robot can effectively reduce motion resistance. Subsequently, the robot was combined with the tibia for correction motion simulation, obtaining the motion parameters θ of the deformed bones during the correction process based on the trajectory of the tibia's point mass. Finally, correction motion experiments and finite element analysis(FEA) were conducted on the robot combined with a control system. Results: The results showed that the robot could precisely control correction parameters, with the error range for rotational correction not exceeding 0.5 radians and the error range for traction correction not exceeding 0.2 mm. FAE, based on corrective force data, concluded that compared to (TIEFD), the robot could reduce bone stress by 16 MPa during the correction process. Conclusion: The robot effectively reduces patient discomfort, this provides a reliable theoretical basis for bone external fixation technology and holds positive significance for the treatment of skeletal deformities.

Functionalized cellulose-based adhesive with epoxy groups having high humidity resistance performance

Sustainable and environment friendly natural-based adhesive has been considered as an optimum alternative of industrial adhesive which is non-renewable and harmful to health. Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer in nature and has potential applications in the field of adhesives. However, the inherent hydrophilic nature of cellulose-based adhesive significantly challenges its use in high humidity environments. In this paper, a highly hydrophobic and anti-swelling cellulose-based adhesive was prepared by epoxy modification of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The simultaneous enhancement of adhesive and cohesive properties is achieved through the reaction of epoxy groups with the hydroxyl groups from the wood and adhesive during the hot-pressing process. Prepared adhesive has excellent properties in extremely humid environments. The dry bonding strength of the prepared adhesive reached 6.02 ± 0.26 MPa, while the wet bonding strength was 4.78 ± 0.21 MPa after immersed in water at 63 °C for 3 h. Furthermore, the bonding strength remained largely stable in 90 % atmospheric humidity. The adhesive has a certain universality, which can bond to substrates such as aluminium, iron, and glass. This study presents an innovative approach to the manufacturing of cellulose-based adhesive with enhanced bonding performance and exceptional water resistance.

Q.ANTUM NEO with LECO Exceeding 25.5 % cell Efficiency

In recent years, we have developed the Q.ANTUM NEO solar cell, a rear-passivated double-sided contact solar cell that achieves power conversion efficiencies exceeding 25.5 %. Our streamlined and cost-efficient process leverages the proprietary Laser Enhanced Contact Optimization (LECO) technology. The LECO process has undergone extensive optimization and has been successfully implemented in both our pilot line and mass production facilities, resulting in significant improvements in solar cell efficiency. LECO facilitates a novel formation of the contact interface between the silicon surface and metallization, leading to remarkably low j0,met values (as low as 160 fA cm−2). The contact resistivity of 20 μm wide contacts on a high sheet resistance emitter is below 1 mΩ cm2, with minimal impact on fill factor (FF) and overall cell efficiency. Rigorous reliability tests, including TC600 and DH3000, demonstrate module degradation well below 5%rel. Our champion cell conversion efficiency achieved in the pilot line using LECO technology reaches 25.6 %, accompanied by a notable open-circuit voltage exceeding 730 mV.

Fouling-resistant Na-ZSM-5 zeolite membrane for fruit juice concentration in forward osmosis process

To evaluate the potential of Na-ZSM-5 membrane for liquid food concentration, the concentration of fruit juice by a tubular Na-ZSM-5 membrane was demonstrated in forward osmosis operation. Apple, orange, and pineapple juices were successfully concentrated, maintaining their quality without contamination by a draw solution based on a molecular sieving effect of the zeolite membrane. For example, the sugar content of apple juice increased from 10.7 to 17.1 oBrix after 24 h of dehydration. The fouling resistance of Na-ZSM-5 membrane was evaluated using a 10 g L-1 pectin solution and cellulose suspension. Na-ZSM-5 membrane showed stable dehydration performance for fruit juice concentration over 120 h without fouling due to pectin or cellulose. In addition, the membrane exhibited high heat resistance, with no deterioration up to 353 K. We showed that Na-ZSM-5 membrane is a potential material for fruit juice concentration because of its superior heat, acidity, and fouling resistances.

Bio-functionalized conductive poly(acrylic acid):poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)-Prussian blue hybrid transducer for biosensors and bioelectronics interfaces

This study presents an innovative organic-inorganic hybrid transducer of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and Prussian blue (PB) nanocatalysts. The transducer demonstrated functionality conducive to enzyme conjugation and exhibited favorable electrochemical properties for biosensor signal transduction. Fabricated by a one-tube chemical redox method, the PAA:PEDOT-PB transducer showed long-term electrocatalytic and structural stability. The performance of the transducer was characterized by high transduction activity and low charge transfer resistance, particularly for H2O2 reduction. It achieves a linear detection range from 1.0 μM to 4.0 mM, with a sensitivity of 494 ± 10 μA mM−1 cm−1 and a LOD of 0.34 μM. The PAA:PEDOT-PB transducer featured a high density of carboxyl groups (DCOOH = 14.64 ± 0.05 μmol cm−2) that promoted the immobilization of the H2O2-dependent oxidase enzyme lactate oxidase (LOx) with an EDC/S–NHS coupling agent. The LOx-PAA:PEDOT-PB transducer was developed for lactate biosensing. The transducer provided high LOx-enzyme affinity (KMapp = 1.47 ± 0.05 mM), and a rapid response time (10 s) for lactate detection across a concentration range of 5.0 μM to 4.0 mM, showing a sensitivity of 223 ± 3 μA mM−1 cm−1 and an LOD of 1.45 μM. The LOx-PAA:PEDOT-PB transducer was integrated with a flexible screen-printed electrode, incorporating a wireless, battery-free near-field communication potentiostat module to measure lactate in artificial sweat on a skin model via smartphone. The PAA:PEDOT-PB transducer could enable connections with multiple bio-recognition molecules through polycarboxylic acid groups, providing potential avenues for the development of advanced biosensors.