Search

The article examines how economic insecurity as a non-medical factor impacts health and can lead to involvement with child protective services. Topics covered include the shortcomings of the social safety net for families experiencing poverty, the ways in which poverty contributes to chronic stress, isolation and declines in health and well-being for caregivers and the policies needed to meet families' needs, promote well-being and prevent contact with intervening systems such as child welfare.

The work describes the design, manufacturing, and user interface of a thin-film gas transducer platform that is able to provide real-time detection of toxic vapor. This proof-of-concept system has applications in the field of real-time detection of hazardous gaseous agents that are harmful to the person exposed to the environment. The small-size gas sensor allows for integration with an unmanned aerial vehicle, thus combining high-level mobility with the ability for the real-time detection of hazardous/toxic chemicals or use as a standalone system in industries that deal with harmful gaseous substances. The sensor was designed based on the ability of thin-film metal oxide sensors to detect chlorine gas in real time. Specifically, a concentration of 10 ppm of Cl2 was tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cooling textiles has a significant impact on energy saving and cost‐effectiveness in the context of global warming. Engineering textiles with cooling performance while maintaining their intrinsic traits, for example, lightweight, washable, comfort, and durability, is a great challenge in developing personal cooling garments. Here, the synthesis of nanodiamond/polydopamine/wool (ND‐PDA‐wool) nanocomposites through a facile dip‐coating approach is demonstrated. Different types of ND including detonation ND (DND), carboxylated ND (ND‐COOH) and hydroxylated ND (ND‐OH), are used, and dopamine templating is applied to achieve strong adhesion and bonding between fiber and ND. The morphology, structure, and properties of the as‐coated fabrics are characterized, and the cooling performance together with comfort are measured. Due to the excellent thermal conductivity of ND, the temperature difference between the coated fabrics and uncoated ones is around 2.4–3.9 °C within a short time span of 30 min. The coated ND‐PDA‐Wool fabrics demonstrated enhanced thermal stability and improved mechanical properties with excellent durability, and the water absorbency is greatly enhanced with well‐maintained air permeability. ND‐PDA‐wool composite fabrics offer a strategy to develop durable, lightweight, washable, and comfortable cooling textiles with immense potential in energy saving and reducing space cooling costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We describe preparation, characterization and cytocompatibility of nanodiamond (ND) dispersed in poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based nanofibrous scaffold. The results show that this unique scaffold potentially provides essential properties for wound healing by enhancing proliferation of epithelial cells, in addition to restricting the microbial activities. Electrospinning technique was used to fabricate and develop PCL-NDs nanocomposite scaffold. The developed nanocomposites were characterized for morphology, thermal, surface and biological properties. The incorporation of ND into the PCL matrix resulted in better moisture management and higher thermal stability. Transmission electron microscopy images and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy showed existence of ND particles on the surface of the nanofibers. The aggregation of ND particles increased with the increase in their concentration in nanofiber. The developed scaffolds showed no cytotoxicity and, due to improved hydrophilicity, better cellular activities with Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells, 43%, 38% and 22% more cell proliferation for PCL-5% ND for 1, 3- and 7-days incubations in compare with PCL. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) showed significantly less affinity to the scaffold surface with the increase in ND concentration, ~56% less for PCL-5% ND in compare with PCL, indicating that such ND dispersed nanofibrous scaffold maybe asuitable choice for complex wound management. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone nanofibrous scaffold was prepared with detonation nanodiamond for wound management. • The surface of nanodiamond has several hydrophilic groups, leading to better wicking and moisture management of the dressing. • PCL-ND scaffold showed no cytotoxicity with excellent cellular activities. • Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus showed significantly less affinity to the scaffold with the increase in ND concentration. • This indicates that such ND dispersed nanofibrous scaffold may be an ideal choice for complex wound management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A high-performance Polyamide(PA)-nanodiamond(ND) composite filament was developed. • Young's modulus of composite was improved by 60% with addition of only 1.5% ND. • There was a significant delay in thermal degradation of the PA-ND in compared with PA. • PA-ND composite is more stable and stronger at extreme temperature conditions. Preparation and characterization of nanodiamond dispersed polyamide-based filament were investigated. The nanocomposite filaments exhibited enhanced thermomechanical properties. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed the ND particles were uniformly distributed in PA matrix, resulting in uniform stress distribution and transfer of applied stress from matrix to reinforcement. This structure lead to the enhancement of tensile strength and toughness of nanocomposite filaments. Furthermore, incorporation of ND into the PA matrix resulted in higher thermal stability, by delaying the thermal degradation of the PA matrix. This composite has a potential for high performance application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial hernia mesh is commonly made from polypropylene (PP), due to its inertness, biocompatibility, physical properties, ease of processing and versatility for conversion into flexible shape. However, reportedly hernia mesh prepared from PP experienced issues such as diminished long-term strength, foreign body rejection, lack of biocompatibility and high adhesion to the abdomen wall. Infiltration of the mesh by soft tissue (called remodeling) results in an integration of mesh into the body, leading to a rapid reduction in mesh mechanical properties and potential infection. Here, this study addresses these issues through the incorporation of nanodiamond (ND) into PP filament and coating on the surface of plasma-treated PP-ND mesh. The results show that the dynamic modulus of the PP-ND mesh increased significantly, without compromising its flexibility. Coating PP-ND mesh with hydroxylated ND led to a reduction in nonspecific protein adsorption onto the surface of nanocomposite, which is an important characteristic for hernia mesh to prevent foreign body reaction, attachment of mesh to the abdominal wall and nearby organs. In-vitro study with mammalian cells shows that coated PP-ND mesh with functionalized ND exhibits a significant increase in the number of adhered cells with more elongated morphology in comparison with other PP meshes, due to the better hydrophilicity. Therefore, the ND coated nanocomposite mesh can be a promising candidate for hernia repair in the future; however, more investigation is required. Unlabelled Image • Developed Polypropylene–nanodiamond (PP-ND) composite hernia mesh developed is the first reported in the literature. PP-ND provided exceptional long-term stability performance, mechanical and biological properties. • Plasma treated PP-ND mesh supported attachment of hydroxylated ND to the surface resulting in a durable ND coating. • PP-ND exhibited excellent stability and performance properties, that lead to a durable and biocompatible implanted mesh • PP-ND exhibited significant reduction in protein absorption consistent with lower inflammatory responses • No cytotoxicity was observed that indicated PP-ND scaffold could be ideal for complex hernia repair management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been increased attention from global organisations and fashion brands on the problems associated with fashion waste. This study sought to recycle fashion waste clothing collected from Australian consumers into fibre blends to reuse as a filling material in children's mattresses. The fibre blends were quantitatively analysed for composition. Then the fibers were treated with eco-friendly flame-retardant finishes, and the flame retardancy was evaluated by limiting oxygen index and electrical burner test. The treated fibres were further characterised by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared, and X-ray diffraction. The quantitative fibre blend analysis indicated that the predominant fibres used in the clothing of Australian consumers are cotton, followed by polyester. The application of green flame-retardant finishes aided in the improvement of the flame retardancy to the standard level, as shown by the limiting oxygen index and electrical burner test. It was also observed that the flame-retardant finish increased the thermal stability of the fibre blend, which delayed and reduced the thermal degradation and decomposition of the mattress filling. Furthermore, the presence of the flame-retardant finish was determined by the Fourier-transform infrared, but there was no change to the chemical composition of the treated fibre blend samples. Picture of fashion waste fibres trated with flame retardant finish. Image 1096893 • Recycled waste clothing reuses as filling material in children's mattresses. • Fashion waste in landfill can be reduced by extracting fibres for reuse. • Post-consumer waste clothing predominantly consists cotton fibre. • Ecofriendly chemical finishes improved flame retardancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional wound dressings, despite their widespread use, face limitations, such as poor infection control and insufficient healing promotion. To address these challenges, bioactive materials have emerged as a promising solution in wound care. This comprehensive review explores the latest developments in wound healing technologies, starting with an overview of the importance of effective wound management, emphasising the need for advanced bioactive wound dressings. The review further explores various bioactive materials, defining their characteristics. It covers a wide range of natural and synthetic biopolymers used to develop bioactive wound dressings. Next, the paper discusses the incorporation of bioactive agents into wound dressings, including antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory agents, alongside regenerative components like growth factors, platelet‐rich plasma, platelet‐rich fibrin and stem cells. The review also covers fabrication techniques for bioactive wound dressings, highlighting techniques like electrospinning, which facilitated the production of nanofibre‐based dressings with controlled porosity, the sol–gel method for developing bioactive glass‐based dressings, and 3D bioprinting for customised, patient‐specific dressings. The review concludes by addressing the challenges and future perspectives in bioactive wound dressing development. It includes regulatory considerations, clinical efficacy, patient care protocol integration and wound healing progress monitoring. Furthermore, the review considers emerging trends such as smart materials, sensors and personalised medicine approaches, offering insights into the future direction of bioactive wound dressing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is therefore to detail an additive manufacturing process for printing TiD parts for implant applications. Titanium–diamond (TiD) is a new composite that provides biocompatible three-dimensional multimaterial structures. Thus, the authors report a powder-deposition and print optimization strategy to overcome the dual-functionality gap by printing bulk TiD parts. However, despite favorable customization outcomes, relatively few additive manufacturing (AM) feedstock powders offer the biocompatibility required for medical implant and device technologies. Design/methodology/approach: AM offers a platform to fabricate customized patient-specific parts. Developing feedstock that can be 3D printed into specific 3D structures while providing a favorable interface with the human tissue remains a challenge. Using laser metal deposition, feedstock powder comprising diamond and titanium was co-printed into TiD parts for mechanical testing to determine optimal manufacturing parameters. Findings: TiD parts were fabricated comprising 30% and 50% diamond. The composite powder had a Hausner ratio of 1.13 and 1.21 for 30% and 50% TiD, respectively. The flow analysis (Carney flow) for TiD 30% and 50% was 7.53 and 5.15 g/s. The authors report that the printing-specific conditions significantly affect the integrity of the printed part and thus provide the optimal manufacturing parameters for structural integrity as determined by micro-computed tomography, nanoindentation and biocompatibility of TiD parts. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength and yield strength for TiD are 4–6 GPa (depending on build position), 426 MPa and 375 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the authors show that increasing diamond composition to 30% results in higher osteoblast viability and lower bacteria count than titanium. Originality/value: In this study, the authors provide a clear strategy to manufacture TiD parts with high integrity, performance and biocompatibility, expanding the material feedstock library and paving the way to customized diamond implants. Diamond is showing strong potential as a biomedical material; however, upscale is limited by conventional techniques. By optimizing AM as the avenue to make complex shapes, the authors open up the possibility of patient-specific diamond implant solutions. Graphical abstarct: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) are luminescent carbon nanoparticles with significant potential in analytical sensing, biomedicine, and energy regeneration due to their remarkable optical, physical, biological, and catalytic properties. In light of the enduring ecological impact of non-biomass waste that persists in the environment, efforts have been made toward converting non-biomass waste, such as ash, waste plastics, textiles, and papers into CDs. This review introduces non-biomass waste carbon sources and classifies them in accordance with the 2022 Australian National Waste Report. The synthesis approaches, including pre-treatment methods, and the properties of the CDs derived from non-biomass waste are comprehensively discussed. Subsequently, we summarize the diverse applications of CDs from non-biomass waste in sensing, information encryption, LEDs, solar cells, and plant growth promotion. In the final section, we delve into the future challenges and perspectives of CDs derived from non-biomass waste, shedding light on the exciting possibilities in this emerging area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk fibroin (SF), a natural protein derived from silkworms, has emerged as a promising biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, degradation rate, and tunable mechanical properties. This review delves into the intrinsic attributes of SF that make it an attractive candidate for scaffold development in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The distinctiveness of this comprehensive review resides in its detailed exploration of recent advancements in the fabrication techniques of SF‐based fibrous scaffolds, namely electrospinning, freeze‐drying, and 3D printing. An in‐depth analysis of these fabrication techniques is conducted to illustrate their versatility in customizing essential scaffold characteristics, such as porosity, fiber diameter, and mechanical strength. The article meticulously discusses process parameters, advantages, and challenges of each fabrication technique, highlighting the innovative advancements made in the respective field. Furthermore, the review goes beyond fabrication techniques to provide an overview of the latest biomedical applications and research endeavors utilizing SF‐derived scaffolds. From nerve regeneration and wound healing to drug delivery, bone regeneration, and vascular tissue engineering, the diverse applications underscore the versatility of SF in adopting various biomedical challenges. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for standardized characterization techniques, scalable manufacturing processes, and long‐term in vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zein, which accounts for around 80% of the total protein composition in corn, is a biocompatible and biodegradable substance derived from renewable sources. Although insoluble in water, its amphiphilic characteristics are utilized to generate nanoparticles, nanofibers, microparticles, and even films. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated the potential of zein as a prospective biomaterial to develop fibrous scaffolds for biomedical functions owing to its biocompatibility, fibrous formation, and encapsulating qualities. Fabrication of zein‐based fibrous scaffolds for biomedical applications is achieved by a wide variety of techniques, including electrospinning, wet spinning, freeze drying, and additive manufacturing. This article overviews current advancements in manufacturing techniques for zein‐based fibrous scaffolds. In addition, it summarizes the most recent biomedical applications and research activities utilizing zein‐based fibrous scaffolds. Overall, zein is proposed as a potential biomaterial for the production of fibrous scaffolds that stimulate cell adhesion and proliferation in a number of exciting biomedical applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and other unique features related to its structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people at the intersection of child welfare and immigration face significant challenges to successfully transitioning to adulthood and independence from foster care. This transition is made even more difficult in light of current immigration policies and an anti-immigrant political climate. This paper highlights systemic barriers for youth who are immigrants and aging out of foster care and provides recommendations for states and child welfare systems to better meet the needs of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypropylene (PP) based hernia mesh often shows multiple post‐surgery complications due to lack of biocompatibility, poor cell attachment, and unwanted tissue adhesion. These limitations can be addressed by material designing and surface modification of a mesh with side‐specific properties such as the visceral side (facing intestine) with low protein and cell attachment and the parietal side (facing incision) with improved cell attachment properties for normal healing. However, the development of dual‐sided mesh is very challenging because of its porous structure. Herein, a dual‐sided biocompatible mesh with protein anti‐adsorption and cell attachment properties on two different sides is developed by grafting highly hydrophilic 2‐methcryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer (PMPC) on the plasma‐activated visceral side, while the parietal side is coated with bioactive chitosan and functionalized nanodiamond (Chi/FND) using a temporary polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mold. The PMPC‐grafted side demonstrated excellent resistance to protein adsorption (96% reduction compared to PP) and cell attachment. However, the bioactive coating on the parietal side has significantly improved cell attachment and proliferation properties. In addition, both sides confirmed the presence of the respective biomaterials after an accelerated degradation study for 28 days. Hence, the newly developed dual‐sided mesh by semi‐solid polymer mold (SSPM) method is a promising candidate to address the long‐existing multiple issues of hernia mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) show remarkable efficiency in removing various contaminants from aqueous systems. Doping ZnO NPs with a second metal element can dramatically change the physicochemical properties of the pristine nanoparticles. However, there have been limited reports on the absorption of doped ZnO NPs, especially comparing the performance of ZnO NPs with different doping elements. Herein, ZnO NPs were doped with three transitional metals (Co, Fe, and Mn) at a nominal 2 wt.%. The particle surface had a higher dopant concentration than the interior for all NPs, implying the migration of the dopants to the surface. Because doping atoms inhibited grain growth, the doped ZnO NPs had a small particle size and a large surface area. The adsorption performance followed the order of Fe-doped < undoped < Mn-doped < Co-doped ZnO. Co-doped ZnO had an increased surface area and less tendency to agglomerate in an aqueous solution, showing the best adsorption performance. The adsorption of Congo red (CR) on Co-doped ZnO followed the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption process was spontaneous through monolayer chemisorption, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 230 mg/g. Finally, the Co-doped ZnO was successfully incorporated into an alginate membrane by electrospinning. The membrane demonstrated excellent adsorption performance and had great potential as an innovative and low-cost adsorbent (inexpensive raw materials and simple processing) for wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of textile fabric waste, namely Kevlar, Nomex, and Cordura Nylon, were investigated in this study. The effects of the fiber parameters: volume fraction (0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%), length (6, 12, and 24 mm), and use of 1D fiber (width of 0) versus 2D woven fabric fiber (width of 3 and 6 mm) on strength properties, flowability, and shrinkage were studied to determine the optimum textile parameters. The pore structure, microstructure, and fiber-matrix interfacial properties of the optimised mixtures were then characterized by means of X-ray micro-CT, SEM, and nanoindentation at 7, 28, and 90 days. Results showed that the optimized parameters for three types of fabric fibers are 1D fiber (width of 0), length of 12 mm, and volume fraction of 0.3%. This optimized design provided an enhancement of strength and shrinkage resistance. Pore refinement was pronounced in the case of hydrophilic Kevlar and Nomex fibers. However, this also correlates to inferior performance in shrinkage resistance of mortar compared to hydrophobic Cordura Nylon. The fiber-matrix ITZ thickness was dependent on fiber size, while the wettability of fibers (i.e., hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity) was observed to affect the phase distribution in the vicinity of the fiber surface. Furthermore, a large volumetric proportion of the structure is porous in nature (more than 50%) in the region of the fiber-matrix interface after 7 days. With the increment of curing age, the microstructure at the fiber interface becomes denser due to the hydration of the clinker phase facilitating the growth of CSH and CH phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carpet fibres have demonstrated the potential to mitigate early-age cracking and improve tensile properties in concrete. However, a detailed analysis of the varied types of standard carpet fibres in reinforced concrete has been lacking. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the performance of concrete reinforced with widely used waste carpet fibres, namely Nylon, Polypropylene, Polytrimethylene terephthalate, and Polyester. The study employs fibres at 0.3 % and 0.5 % volume fractions with a 12 mm length. The research examines mechanical properties, shrinkage and cracking behaviour, pore structure, microstructure, and the ITZ. Results show that 0.3 % fibre volume yielded optimal performance based on GRA analysis. All fibre types reduced shrinkage compared to the control with no fibres. Nylon T1 at 0.3 % achieved a 22.3 % reduction at 90 days. Furthermore, fibre inclusion enhanced flexural and splitting tensile strengths up to 12 % and 39 % respectively due to fibre bridging, pore refinement, and reduced porosity. Notably, individual fibre mechanical properties influenced concrete performance significantly. Hydrophilic fibres exhibited a thinner 10 µm ITZ compared to 15 µm for hydrophobic fibres, contributing to denser interfacial regions and improved bonding. This study demonstrates the potential of carpet fibre-reinforced concrete as a sustainable solution, offering enhanced mechanical properties, shrinkage mitigation, and effective utilization of carpet waste, addressing critical issues in construction and waste management sectors. • PTT T1 (0.5 %) had highest flexural strength, 11.8 % higher at 28 days, than control. • Compressive strength and shrinkage reduction were optimum with 0.3 % fibre volume. • Nylon T1 fibres (0.3 %) reduced shrinkage by 22.3 % at 90 days compared to the control. • Nylon T1(0.3 %) had the lowest porosity, 81.12 % lower than the control at 28 days. • Hydrophobic fibres had an ITZ of 15 µm, while hydrophilic fibres had an ITZ of 10 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This investigation examined the association between ethnic identity centrality and peer status for African American adolescents who represented a sizable proportion, yet numerical minority within a high school context. Initial analyses indicated that a traditional sociometric nomination procedure did not adequately characterize peer status for African American adolescents. A modified nomination procedure varying the ethnicity of nominators yielded measures of African American adolescents'' peer acceptance/rejection and perceived popularity as rated by African American or European American peers. Results suggest that high levels of peer acceptance and popularity as rated by African American peers were associated with high ethnic identity centrality; however, acceptance and popularity as rated by European American peers were unrelated to ethnic identity centrality among African American adolescents. Findings suggest the importance of examining peer status of African American adolescents with consideration given to ethnicity as a relevant context. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The advent of injectable polymer technologies has increased the prospect of developing novel, minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to treat a wide variety of ailments. In this study, we have synthesised and evaluated a novel polyurethane-based injectable, in situ curable, polymer platform to determine its potential uses as a tissue engineered implant. Films of the polymers were prepared by reacting two pentaerythritol-based prepolymers, and characterised for mechanical and surface properties, and cytocompatibility. This polymer platform displayed mechanical strength and elasticity superior to many injectable bone cements and grafts. Cytotoxicity tests using primary human osteoblasts, revealed positive cell viability and increased proliferation over a period of 7 days in culture. This favourable cell environment was attributed to the hydrophilic nature of the films, as assessed by dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis of the sample surfaces. The incorporation of β-TCP was shown to improve mechanical properties, surface wettability, and cell viability and proliferation, compared to the other sample types. SEM/EDX analysis of these surfaces also revealed physicochemical surface heterogeneity in the presence of β-TCP. Based on preliminary mechanical analysis and cytotoxicity results, these injectable polymers may have a number or potential orthopaedic applications; ranging from bone glues to scaffolds for bone regeneration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shrinkage cracks pose significant challenges to the long-term durability of concrete structures, and it can be effectively address by incorporating various types of fibres. Synthetic textile fibres show a significant 10–50 % shrinkage reduction, while natural cellulosic fibres achieve a comparable 5–30 % reduction. This improvement is attributed to the bridging and anchorage effects between fibres and the cement matrix, enhancing overall concrete performance. However, the factors such as fibre length, diameter, volume fraction and characteristics have significant effect on shrinkage performance. This paper aims to present a comprehensive analysis of these critical mechanisms and factors that impact the shrinkage behaviour in both synthetic textile and natural cellulosic fibre-reinforced concrete. The inclusion of fibres creates a three-dimensional fibre matrix within the concrete that provide an internal effect to restrain the absorb water and it reduce the shrinkage of the concrete. Moreover, the presence of fibres introduces a secondary reinforcing mechanism to release tension during the drying process, thereby preventing crack propagation. The highly porous nature of the cellulose structure enhances the porosity of the concrete, creating cross-linked pathways for water evaporation. However, pre wetted cellulose fibre mitigates drying shrinkage by providing internal curing of the concrete. Furthermore, various physical, chemical, and combined surface modification methods have been used to improve the properties of natural fibres. • Shrinkage, cracks in synthetic and natural cellulosic fibre concrete were discussed. • Synthetic fibres show 10–50 % shrinkage reduction while cellulose give 5–30 %. • Bridging and anchorage effect between fibres and matrix cause shrinkage reduction. • Fibre volume fraction is a key factor for shrinkage and crack behaviour in concrete. • Fibre dimensions, strength, modulus, water interaction impact shrinkage and cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the tremendous acceptance of additively manufactured (AM) Titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) in the field of biomedical engineering, the high surface roughness due to partially-melted particles (fabricated in selective laser melting (SLM) process), limits their uses as hip implants. The objective of this study, therefore, is to modify the SLM fabricated Ti6Al4V implant interfaces with 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer, in the hope of enhancing surface properties and preventing the attachment of the cell simultaneously without affecting the mechanical properties significantly. Three different monomer concentrations were examined to determine the influence of monomer concentrations on polymerisation rate, chain length, and surface properties of the implants. Samples grafted with 0.6 M monomer concentration showed more uniform surface and less surface roughness in comparison with other samples and untreated Ti6Al4V surfaces. 0.6 M monomer concentration was found to be the best option for grafting PMPC to the hip implant interfaces because of its improved surface morphology, surface roughness, polymerisation rate, penetration depth and hardness results. Moreover, cell study on optimal surfaces revealed that PMPC grafted surfaces prevent the implant interfaces from uncontrollable cell attachment which is of utmost importance in smoothing the motion of the hip implant under cyclic loading. Overall, the PMPC grafting demonstrated the potentiality of its application on SLM Ti6Al4V substrate for improved hip arthroplasty performance. Unlabelled Image • Grafting of Phosphorylcholine-based Polymer onto additively manufactured Ti6Al4V implants was successful. • The 0.6 M was identified as optimal monomer concentration considering the surface properties of the implant. • The partially-melted particles of additively manufactured titanium implant act as anchorage for cells. • PMPC grafted surface showed excellent resistance to uncontrollable cell attachment, which is one of the current main issues in hip implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hydrophilic fabric fibres refine the pore structure of cementitious matrices. • Hybrid hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibres counterbalance the pore-refining effects. • Fabric waste fibres suppress the crack propagation and mitigate the quantity of cracks. • Hybrid fabric fibres significantly reduces the shrinkage of cementitious composites. • Blended fabric waste fibres can improve strength properties of cement-based materials. In this study, the strength properties, shrinkage and microstructures of mortar incorporating blended fabric fibres were characterised via X-ray micro CT and nanoindentation. Three different hybrid recycled fabric fibres, namely Kevlar/Nomex, Kevlar/Nylon and Nomex/Nylon fibres were investigated at three different blend ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2). The fibre content was maintained at 0.3 % for all mixes. The findings indicated that the optimum blend ratio for hybrid fabric fibres is 1:1. At this optimum fibre blend ratio, an enhancement by 2.7 %, 4.8 % and 5.9 % in compressive strength, together with 9.8 %, 12 % and 13.4 % in flexural strength of mortar are recorded, corresponding to the inclusion of hybrid Nomex/Nylon, Kevlar/Nomex and Kevlar/Nylon fibres respectively. Kevlar/Nomex fibres display no effect in drying shrinkage mitigation, irrespective of blend ratios. In contrast, Kevlar/Nylon and Nomex/Nylon fibres result in reducing 180-day shrinkage rates by up to 13.9 % and 11 % respectively. The hybrid fabric fibres were found to refine the pore network, especially the highly hydrophilic Kevlar/Nomex fibres. Also, an increase in curing days from 7 to 90 days densifies the microstructure near the fibre-matrix interface due to the growth of hydration products (LD/HD C S H and CH). These research findings can open the pathway for utilising textile waste in landfill as reinforcing members for cementitious matrices toward sustainable building and construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The inclusion of PP, PE, and PVA fibres increases total porosity of cementitious matrices. • Hydrophilic fibres tend to reduce the average pore size of cementitious matrices. • Pore refinement effect is pronounced with the inclusion of microfibres. • Thermal expansion of fibres initiates cracks and releases pressure at elevated temperatures. • High melting viscosity of HDPE inhibits vapour transport and show less spalling mitigation. Synthetic fibres such as polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene (PE) in both virgin and recycled forms have been widely employed in cementitious composites. Apart from providing bridging action for absorbing stress-induced energy, the addition of polymeric fibres also changes the pore systems in the microstructure of cementitious materials. This paper reviews the microstructure changes of cementitious composite incorporating these three polymeric fibres under both ambient and high-temperature condition. The microstructure of polymeric fibre reinforced concrete is characterised by higher porosity than plain concrete. The use of hydrophilic PVA fibres with microfibres induces pore-refining effects. At elevated temperature PP, PVA and low-density PE (LDPE) exhibit good spalling resistance in concrete due to the formation of microcracks and empty channels left by melted fibre. However, high-density PE (HDPE) fibre is ineffective in mitigating the increased vapour pressure in concrete due to a low coefficient of thermal expansion and high viscosity. Furthermore, to achieve well-balanced interfacial properties, physical/chemical surface modification is necessitated. The introduction of reactive functional groups into the polymer chain of hydrophobic PP and PE fibre significantly enhance fibre-matrix interaction in strengthening interfacial properties with cement paste. Whereas, neutralising hydroxyl functional groups in the PVA polymer chain counteracts extreme delamination or fibrillation of polar PVA fibre when they interact with the cement matrix. With surface modification, the possibility of premature rupture of PVA fibre can be minimised, while improving the transfer of stress-induced energy between the cement matrix and the fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently under diagnosed in maltreated samples. Protective services information is critical for obtaining complete trauma histories and determining whether to survey PTSD symptoms in maltreated children. In the current study, without protective services information to supplement parent and child report, diagnosing PTSD was missed in a significant proportion of the cases. Collaboration between mental health professionals and protective service workers is critical in determining psychiatric diagnoses and treatment needs of children involved with the child welfare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Biodegradable polyurethanes offer advantages in the design of injectable or preformed scaffolds for tissue engineering and other medical implant applications. We have developed two-part injectable prepolymer systems (prepolymer A and B) consisting of lactic acid and glycolic acid based polyester star polyols, pentaerythritol (PE) and ethyl lysine diisocyanate (ELDI). This study reports on the formulation and properties of a series of cross linked polyurethanes specifically developed for orthopaedic applications. Prepolymer A was based on PE and ELDI. Polyester polyols (prepolymer B) were based on PE and dl-lactic acid (PEDLLA) or PE and glycolic acid (PEGA) with molecular weights 456 and 453, respectively. Several cross linked porous and non-porous polyurethanes were prepared by mixing and curing prepolymers A and B and their mechanical and thermal properties, in vitro (PBS/37°C/pH 7.4) and in vivo (sheep bi-lateral) degradation evaluated. The effect of incorporating β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP, 5microns, 10wt.%) was also investigated. The cured polymers exhibited high compressive strength (100–190MPa) and modulus (1600–2300MPa). β-TCP improved mechanical properties in PEDLLA based polyurethanes and retarded the onset of in vitro and in vivo degradation. Sheep study results demonstrated that the polymers in both injectable and precured forms did not cause any surgical difficulties or any adverse tissue response. Evidence of new bone growth and the gradual degradation of the polymers were observed with increased implant time up to 6months. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Child abuse and genotype interact to contribute to risk for depression in children. This study examined gene-by-gene and gene-by-environment interactions. Methods: The study included 196 children: 109 maltreated and 87 nonmaltreated comparison subjects. Measures of psychiatric symptomatology and social supports were obtained using standard research instruments, and serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) (locus SLC6A4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (variant val66met) genotypes were obtained from saliva-derived DNA specimens. Population structure was controlled by means of ancestral proportion scores computed based on genotypes of ancestry informative markers in the entire sample. Results: There was a significant three-way interaction between BDNF genotype, 5-HTTLPR, and maltreatment history in predicting depression. Children with the met allele of the BDNF gene and two short alleles of 5-HTTLPR had the highest depression scores, but the vulnerability associated with these two genotypes was only evident in the maltreated children. A significant four-way interaction also emerged, with social supports found to further moderate risk for depression. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation to demonstrate a gene-by-gene interaction conveying vulnerability to depression. The current data also show a protective effect of social supports in ameliorating genetic and environmental risk for psychopathology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, measures of the quality and availability of social supports were found to moderate risk for depression associated with a history of maltreatment and the presence of the short (s) allele of the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) The present investigation (i) replicates research in adults showing that 5-HTTLPR variation moderates the development of depression after stress, (ii) extends the finding to children, and (ill) demonstrates the ability of social supports to further moderate risk for depression. Maltreated children with the s/s genotype and no positive supports had the highest depression ratings, scores that were twice as high as the non-maltreated comparison children with the same genotype. However, the presence of positive supports reduced risk associated with maltreatment and the s/s genotype, such that maltreated children with this profile had only minimal increases in their depression scores. These findings are consistent with emerging preclinical and clinical data suggesting that the negative sequelae associated with early stress are not inevitable. Risk for negative outcomes may be modified by both genetic and environmental factors, with the quality and availability of social supports among the most important environmental factors in promoting resiliency in maltreated children, even in the presence of a genotype expected to confer vulnerability for psychiatric disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Embroidered chipless RFID tag using conductive threads. • SEM-based circuit modelling and the transient analysis of Octagonal shaped RFID tag. • Scattering behaviour of the Electromagnetic wave and the measurement of coupling coefficients. • On-body RCS, code verifications and the bending analysis of the tag. • Maximum read range estimation. This paper presents the design, fabrication and testing of two embroidered chipless octagonal-shaped RFID tags on cotton fabric for wearable applications. The first tag is designed by using silver-coated polyamide conductive fibre (HC12) and the second tag is embroidered by using highly conductive Vectran (LIBERATOR 40) which is highly conductive multifilament yarn spun from Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), on cotton fabrics. In contrast to the traditional RFID tag, the chipless RFID tagging, the ID code is not saved in the memory, instead, it uses the physical features of the tag to send data. The proposed tag's design uses a Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) technique for the frequency range of 8–18 GHz. These tags are designed using CST studio and precisely fabricated by using commercial ZSK Technical Embroidery System JCZA (0109–550). The tag design is composed of six concentric octagonal loop resonators with one unitary element. The electromagnetic scattering waves behaviour and Singularity Expansion Method (SEM) based circuit modelling for the octagonal-shaped tag is performed, and the coupling coefficients are evaluated. The desired data bits are obtained by a series of comparative experiments for Radar Cross Section (RCS) in an anechoic chamber. The experimental results obtained show that the 4-bit data is accurately retrieved with the variation of distance by up to 1.8 m at 0 dB m. Moreover, the average transition from minimum '0' to maximum 1' is -27 dB for both designs. Furthermore, the experimental results for on-body RCS measurements and the bending effects on both tags down to 7 mm is observed. This octagonal embroidered Chipless RFID tag is a fully textile design which is compact and can be deployed commercially in various IoT applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]