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Objective: BMI is commonly used to measure risk to prenatal health but may not be sensitive to adiposity-associated health problems for Black women. The aim of the present study was to test associations between indices of prenatal health and BMI in Black women. Methods: Data were from 652 women enrolled in two studies. Height and weight were used to calculate BMI. Depression and perceived stress were measured via maternal report, systemic inflammation via C-reactive protein (CRP), and nutrition by the ratio of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid to omega-6 arachidonic acid fatty acids. Results: Neither perceived stress, depression, nor fatty acids were associated with prenatal BMI. CRP levels were positively associated with BMI (beta= 6.56, t= 13.30, p < .001). The prevalence of high-risk levels of CRP (> 3 mg/L) was below 10% for all weight classes except for BMI ≥ 40. Conclusions: Results suggest that BMI may not be a sensitive index of adiposity related risk to prenatal health for Black women.

AbstractExtracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK-2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase in eukaryotic cells and belongs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. An activated form of ERK-2 phosphorylates substrates in the nucleus or cytoplasm and causes specific proteins to be expressed or activated, regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and other functions. Caffeic acid (3,4 − dihydroxy cinnamic acid), as previously reported, directly interacts with ERK-2 and reduces its effects in vitro. It is also reported to have a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. In the current study, a deep-learning protocol was employed to develop effective 100 compounds by modifying the chemical structure of DHC to improve its inhibitory performance against ERK-2. Calculations of physicochemical properties for those compounds revealed that 20 compounds had drug scores better than DHC (≥ 80%). Following that, molecular docking calculations were performed on the selected compounds and DHC. The obtained data revealed that five compounds had docking scores better than DHC (≥ −5.9 kcal/mol). Moreover, data from molecular mechanics and the Poisson − Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) binding energy over 200 ns MD simulation confirmed that Cmd-1 and Cmd-4 exhibited higher stability with ΔGbindingof −40.8 and −49.1 kcal/mol, respectively, which is better than DHC (−35.1 kcal/mol). Finally, various energetic and structural studies showed the high stability of the two generated compounds within the active site of ERK-2. This study highlights the potential use of Cmd-1 and Cmd-4 as promising anti-ERK-2 drug candidates.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. Child access prevention (CAP) laws have been passed in some states. This study examines characteristics of children with firearm injuries in states with different types of CAP laws.The Pediatric Health Information System database was reviewed to identify all pediatric firearm injury patients between 2016 and 2021. Hospital data were categorized based on state laws as (1) no CAP laws (2) some CAP laws or (3) strict CAP laws. CAP laws that specifically outlined criminal liability for the negligent storage of firearms were considered a strict restriction, whereas any other form of CAP law was considered some restriction. χ-squared and independent-samples median testing were performed to compare restriction levels.Between 2016 and 2021, 12 853 firearm injuries were recorded in the Pediatric Health Information System database. In states with strict CAP laws, patients were significantly older (P < .001) and had a significantly higher household income (P < .001) compared with patients in states with no CAP laws. Gender, race, and the number of firearm injuries differed between the 3 restriction levels. There were less firearm injuries observed than expected in cities with strict CAP laws.CAP laws are associated with a higher age and household income of pediatric firearm injury patients. Given the disparities seen between cities, a federal CAP law may best protect children nationwide.

The application of Phalaris seed peel (PSP) for the production of biochar involves the pyrolysis process in an N2environment, resulting in the creation of a cost-effective sorbent. Two distinct modifications were conducted on the existing biochar (BC), employing just silicate (BC/SiO2) and in combination with iron-silicate (BC/SiO2/Fe). Several analytical methods were used to look at the modified biochar’s physical and chemical properties. These included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), and surface area analysis. Based on the initial investigations, it has been revealed that the use of silica and iron as the second modification is a more suitable approach for effectively retaining 133Ba from liquid radioactive waste streams. The investigation of sorption kinetics and isotherms was conducted to enhance our understanding of the process. The Langmuir isotherm model demonstrates the most optimal correlation for sorption, yielding a maximum sorption capacity (Qmax) of 31 mg/g. Furthermore, an evaluation was performed on the BC/SiO2/Fe sorbent material by subjecting it to a mixture of simulated radioactive liquid waste, which included 133Ba, 60Co, and 137Cs.The experimental results indicate that BC/SiO2/Fe exhibits a comparatively higher sorption capacity for 133Ba when compared to 60Co and 137Cs as competing ions.

IMPORTANCE: Understanding potential predisposing factors associated with spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) may influence its management. OBJECTIVE: To describe a severe case of SANS associated with 2 potentially predisposing factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Ocular testing of and blood collections from a female astronaut were completed preflight, inflight, and postflight in the setting of the International Space Station (ISS). EXPOSURE: Weightlessness throughout an approximately 6-month ISS mission. Mean carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure decreased from 2.6 to 1.3 mm Hg weeks before the astronaut’s flight day (FD) 154 optical coherence tomography (OCT) session. In response to SANS, 4 B-vitamin supplements (vitamin B6, 100 mg; L-methylfolate, 5 mg; vitamin B12, 1000 μg; and riboflavin, 400 mg) were deployed, unpacked on FD153, consumed daily through FD169, and then discontinued due to gastrointestinal discomfort. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Refraction, distance visual acuity (DVA), optic nerve, and macular assessment on OCT. RESULTS: Cycloplegic refraction was −1.00 diopter in both eyes preflight and +0.50 − 0.25 × 015 in the right eye and +1.00 diopter in the left eye 3 days postflight. Uncorrected DVA was 20/30 OU preflight, 20/16 or better by FD90, and 20/15 OU 3 days postflight. Inflight peripapillary total retinal thickness (TRT) peaked between FD84 and FD126 (right eye, 401 μm preflight, 613 μm on FD84; left eye, 404 μm preflight, 636 μm on FD126), then decreased. Peripapillary choroidal folds, quantified by surface roughness, peaked at 12.7 μm in the right eye on FD154 and 15.0 μm in the left eye on FD126, then decreased. Mean choroidal thickness increased throughout the mission. Genetic analyses revealed 2 minor alleles for MTRR 66 and 2 major alleles for SHMT1 1420 (ie, 4 of 4 SANS risk alleles). One-week postflight, lumbar puncture opening pressure was normal, at 19.4 cm H2O. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: To the authors’ knowledge, no other report of SANS documented as large of a change in peripapillary TRT or hyperopic shift during a mission as in this astronaut, and this was only 1 of 4 astronauts to experience chorioretinal folds approaching the fovea. This case showed substantial inflight improvement greater than the sensitivity of the measure, possibly associated with B-vitamin supplementation and/or reduction in cabin CO2. However, as a single report, such improvement could be coincidental to these interventions, warranting further evaluation.

Sjögren's disease is a chronic autoimmune disease with an unmet need for targeted therapies. The aim of the TWINSS study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iscalimab, a monoclonal antibody against CD40, in patients with active Sjögren's disease.

High utilizers of acute care in nonurban settings are at risk for poor health outcomes. Much of Massachusetts is nonurban, with many residents experiencing limited access to health care providers, fragmented health care services, inadequate housing, and low health literacy. This study examines patient perspectives on the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation (CHART) investment program, a state-based grant program focused on advancing community hospitals toward value-based care. We found that CHART staff engaged patients in care coordination and patient advocacy, promoted patient agency and health literacy, and provided socioemotional support. These findings may help inform future program development around meeting the medical and social needs of high utilizers of health care services.

Management strategies and clinical outcomes vary substantially in patients newly diagnosed with Crohn's disease. We evaluated the use of a putative prognostic biomarker to guide therapy by assessing outcomes in patients randomised to either top-down (ie, early combined immunosuppression with infliximab and immunomodulator) or accelerated step-up (conventional) treatment strategies.

Rheumatologists have never been reluctant to adopt procedures that might enhance their diagnostic or therapeutic powers. Their propensity to penetrate the joints of the patients they were treating set them apart from the general internist. Since the 1980s, when a chance to look inside the joints they were treating attracted a few rheumatologists, other things that could be done at the bedside emerged with now an array of bedside procedures that could be part of a rheumatologist's skill set. Besides gains in diagnosis and/or therapy, each constitutes a chance to restore the physical contact between physician and patient, riven by factors of the last decade, such as electronic medical records and COVID. With such contact so important to satisfaction of the patient and physician alike, acquisition of proficiency in certain technical procedures described herein offers one path to begin restoring rheumatology to the richly fulfilling practice it once was.

The hands-on aspect of rheumatologic practice serves to balance its more cerebral features with the everyday necessity to touch patients to assess their condition, obtain samples for diagnosis, and deliver therapy, all cementing the important bond between patient and physician. Factors over recent years, ranging from the intercession of the electronic medical record to COVID, have weakened this bond, which we must restore if the practice of rheumatology is to return to previous levels of satisfaction. We review herein, in 2 parts, the many ways rheumatologists may interact physically with patients, with hope that pursuit of these measures can enhance satisfaction of physician and patient alike. This first installment reviews those simple skills in place before more involved technical bedside skill began to evolve over the last half century.

Background: Mechanically ventilated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients often require wrist restraints, contributing to immobility and agitation, over-sedation, and delirium. The Exersides® Refraint® (Healthy Design, LLC), a novel restraint alternative, may be safe and facilitate greater mobility than traditional restraints.Objective: This National Institutes of Health Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Grant-funded single-site Phase I feasibility study evaluated Exersides® safety and feasibility in anticipation of a multi-site Phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT).Methods: In two academic ICUs, mechanically ventilated adults ⩾25 years old who were non-comatose, required restraints and had an expected stay of ⩾2 days were enrolled to wear Exersides® and traditional wrist restraints for 4 h on day 1, in a randomized order, and in the reverse order on day 2. Main outcomes were Exersides® safety (i.e., patient/clinician lacerations/injuries), feasibility (i.e., ⩾90% of required data collected), and patient/family/clinician feedback.Results: Eight patients were enrolled; one no longer required restraints at initiation, yielding seven subjects (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age 65 [55, 70] years, 86% men). All seven wore Exersides®, averaging (SD) 2.5 (1.0) hours per session, with no safety events reported. Across restraint time periods, 92% and 100% of Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and wrist actigraphy data, respectively, were collected. Feedback was positive (more movement and comfortable than traditional restraints) and constructive (bulky, intimidating to apply).Conclusions: This pilot study provided key safety and feasibility data for a Phase II RCT evaluating Exersides® versus traditional wrist restraints. Feedback motivated minor device modifications before RCT initiation.

Using batch and column procedures, the present work investigated the sorption behaviour of 137Cs and 152+154Eu by bentonite phosphate modified with nickel (BPN) sorbent. The kinetic data obey pseudo-1st-order for 137Cs and follow pseudo-2nd-order for 152+154Eu. Various sorption isotherm models were used to analyze equilibrium data. The thermodynamic functions reflect an endothermic and spontaneous sorption process. HCl (about 95.35 %) and CaCl2(about 98.13 %) showed the optimum eluents for the complete recovery of both 137Cs and 152+154Eu, respectively. Finally, column data show that 137Cs and 152+154Eu may be loaded on BNP sorbent and separated from an aqueous solution using a variety of HCl concentrations as eluent. The obtianed results revealed that BNP sorbent is suitable for recovering 137Cs and 152+154Eu from low-level radioactive waste effluents (LLW).

Characterization of the elemental distribution of samples with rough surfaces has been strongly desired for the analysis of various natural and artificial materials. Particularly for pristine and rare analytes with micrometer sizes embedded on specimen surfaces, non-invasive and matrix effect-free analysis is required without surface polishing treatment. To satisfy these requirements, we proposed a new method employing the sequential combination of two imaging modalities, i.e., microenergy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) and Raman micro-spectroscopy. The applicability of the developed method is tested by the quantitative analysis of cation composition in micrometer-sized carbonate grains on the surfaces of intact particles sampled directly from the asteroid Ryugu. The first step of micro-XRF imaging enabled a quick search for the sparsely scattered and micrometer-sized carbonates by the codistributions of Ca2+and Mn2+on the Mg2+- and Fe2+-rich phyllosilicate matrix. The following step of Raman micro-spectroscopy probed the carbonate grains and analyzed their cation composition (Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe2++ Mn2+) in a matrix effect-free manner via the systematic Raman shifts of the lattice modes. The carbonates were basically assigned to ferroan dolomite bearing a considerable amount of Fe2++ Mn2+at around 10 atom %. These results are in good accordance with the assignments reported by scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, where the thin-sectioned and surface-polished Ryugu particles were applicable. The proposed method requires neither sectioning nor surface polishing; hence, it can be applied to the remote sensing apparatus on spacecrafts and planetary rovers. Furthermore, the non-invasive and matrix effect-free characterization will provide a reliable analytical tool for quantitative analysis of the elemental distribution on the samples with surface roughness and chemical heterogeneity at a micrometer scale, such as art paintings, traditional crafts with decorated shapes, as well as sands and rocks with complex morphologies in nature.

Value conceptualisation has shifted from a firm’s standpoint to the ecosystem perspective involving multiple actors who integrate resources for value co-creation. This paper presents a structured review of the current state of knowledge, identifying and synthesising a conceptual framework of core elements for SMEs and orchestrators in developing platform ecosystems. The study adopts the PRISMA approach, bibliometric and thematic analysis to synthesise a conceptual framework for platform ecosystem development from the literature. Following the analysis, we identify seven core elements required in platform ecosystem development. The study also describes the interdependencies and interactions between platform orchestrators and SMEs and their implications for ecosystem development. Our paper advances theoretical understanding by shifting focus from a firm-centric to a multi-actor perspective in platform ecosystem development, highlighting the significance of actor-to-actor engagement practices. The proposed CIPP framework offers practical guidance for ecosystem managers, facilitating strategic navigation of complexities and fostering collaborative relationships among diverse actors while also providing insights for policymakers to design inclusive governance frameworks promoting transparency and trust within platform ecosystems. As with qualitative reviews, we acknowledge a possible bias in our choice of primary studies following our search terms and keywords targeted at actor-to-actor engagements in the platform ecosystem. The study was also limited by excluding non-English studies at the selection and outcome levels.

Detecting the power-device state-of-health (SOH) during converter operation can enhance the overall system reliability by predicting imminent failure scenarios. While various aging indicators for gallium nitride (GaN) devices have been demonstrated in the literature, few are practically measurable in an active converter. This article demonstrates that the large-signal device output capacitance ($C_{\text{oss}}$) is a reliable indicator of short-circuit (SC) aging, and proposes an in situ measurement technique to capture its value by leveraging the operational waveforms of soft-switching converters. The method relies only on the converter operating condition along with the switching modulation and does not require direct measurement of the inductor current. Experimental results for three different GaN devices show a 5%–10% decrease in the large-signal $C_{\text{oss}}$ after 5000 SC cycles, proving the usefulness of this parameter as an SOH indicator. The in situ measurement technique is demonstrated in a synchronous buck converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode, successfully capturing the SC-aging-induced change in $C_{\text{oss}}$. The presented results and proposed measurement technique pave the way for system-level monitoring of power-device SOH and self-calibrating operation.

Interactions between Sphagnum(peat moss) and cyanobacteria play critical roles in terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycling processes. Knowledge of the metabolites exchanged, the physiological processes involved, and the environmental conditions allowing the formation of symbiosis is important for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these interactions. In this study, we used a cross-feeding approach with spatially resolved metabolite profiling and metatranscriptomics to characterize the symbiosis between Sphagnumand Nostoccyanobacteria. A pH gradient study revealed that the Sphagnum–Nostocsymbiosis was driven by pH, with mutualism occurring only at low pH. Metabolic cross-feeding studies along with spatially resolved matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) identified trehalose as the main carbohydrate source released by Sphagnum, which were depleted by Nostocalong with sulfur-containing choline-O-sulfate, taurine and sulfoacetate. In exchange, Nostocincreased exudation of purines and amino acids. Metatranscriptome analysis indicated that Sphagnumhost defense was downregulated when in direct contact with the Nostocsymbiont, but not as a result of chemical contact alone. The observations in this study elucidated environmental, metabolic, and physiological underpinnings of the widespread plant–cyanobacterial symbioses with important implications for predicting carbon and nitrogen cycling in peatland ecosystems as well as the basis of general host-microbe interactions.

The research presented within this article sets out to evaluate a conceptual framework, consisting of five phases, aimed at facilitating health-related technology transfer to and within sub-Saharan African countries. The framework is constructed using a grounded theory process and is subsequently quantitively evaluated via a questionnaire survey instrument with two five-point Likert Scale measurement items namely perceived ease of use and usefulness. The survey addresses practicality via a frequency analysis with the framework receiving a perceived ease of use score of 2.992 and a usefulness score of 4.032. The survey instrument addresses the versatility of the conceptual framework's intended geographic application area through a variance analysis. For the perceived ease of use measurement item, Western and Central Africa received statistically significant p-values of 0.01178 and 0.02288, respectively, highlighting discrepancies in perceived ease of use within the first two phases of the conceptual framework. No statistically significant variances are uncovered with respect to the usefulness measurement item. The final evaluation measure addresses utility via a regression analysis with the relationship between technology adoption and the five phases receiving p-values ranging from 0.643, 0.694, 0.751, 0.715, and 0.927.

As additive manufacturing (AM) technology is growing globally, a need exists to better understand the landscape of needs, challenges, and opportunities that enterprises experience to assist policymakers in developing practical and sufficient support policies. In this article, we draw from the literature on the technology innovation system's innovation indicators to understand the dynamics of South African AM enterprises. From the indicators, we derive a survey instrument that contributes a novel method to analyze innovation systems and a priority tool to identify areas that require priority policy support. In applying the survey instrument, we surveyed 40 South African AM enterprises (approximately 80% of the industry) and collected 35 complete responses. The findings show that most AM enterprises are younger than ten years and that value-added enterprises dominate the sector. The enterprises struggle to access support mechanisms for AM technology, and startup enterprises struggle to build appropriate knowledge networks. Based on the priority tool, this article argues for 14 policy support opportunities on how AM industries may address their enterprises’ commercialization, knowledge sharing, and supplier challenges.

Cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone,” is secreted under the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis in response to psychobiological stress. Real-time and continuous monitoring of the cortisol levels throughout the day can provide the information necessary to identify any abnormalities in cortisol’s circadian rhythm that may disrupt the several processes that cortisol is involved in in the body. This review presents a systematic search of the literature on electrochemical cortisol sensing techniques that allow real-time measurement of cortisol in human biofluids. Several structural and performance-related parameters of sensors are being discussed, including the sensor stack layers, the limit of detection (LoD), dynamic range, sensitivity, selectivity, reusability, redox probe usage, and the electrochemical detection technique used. The sensors here are primarily categorized based on the type of bioreceptors used: antibodies, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), and aptamers. According to this review, cortisol aptasensors and the MIP-based sensors present, in general, superior stability and sensitivity over immunosensors. They also promise reversible binding, albeit limited research exists on sensors deploying such bioreceptors. Additionally, notable advancements in the field and their impact on the development of point-of-care (PoC) and wearable devices are discussed.

Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) patients experience a lower quality of life, frequent exacerbations, and worse pulmonary function. Environmental management is essential in a complex chronic condition, as pollutant exposure can worsen symptoms and increase morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify evidence that informs nursing interventions in promoting self-management of air quality in asthmatic people with COPD.

Otitis media-associated outpatient visits among American Indians/Alaska Natives children <5 years old decreased by 52% (100 to 48 per 100 children per year) from 2003 to 2019. Otitis media visits decreased by another 50% from 2019 to 2020, but rebounded between 2020 and 2021 back to a rate similar to 2019.

The transferability and clinical value of genetic risk scores (GRSs) across populations remain limited due to an imbalance in genetic studies across ancestrally diverse populations. Here we conducted a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of 156,319 prostate cancer cases and 788,443 controls of European, African, Asian and Hispanic men, reflecting a 57% increase in the number of non-European cases over previous prostate cancer genome-wide association studies. We identified 187 novel risk variants for prostate cancer, increasing the total number of risk variants to 451. An externally replicated multi-ancestry GRS was associated with risk that ranged from 1.8 (per standard deviation) in African ancestry men to 2.2 in European ancestry men. The GRS was associated with a greater risk of aggressive versus non-aggressive disease in men of African ancestry (P= 0.03). Our study presents novel prostate cancer susceptibility loci and a GRS with effective risk stratification across ancestry groups.

Background It is critical to avoid iatrogenic injuries affecting genitourinary organs in order to prevent postoperative urinary or sexual dysfunction, which lead to lengthier recovery and possibly reoperation.Methods Using the 2016-2019 American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Targeted Proctectomy Database, we collated 2577 patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer who underwent a laparoscopic or open proctectomy. Univariate analysis was used to identify differences in perioperative factors and genitourinary injuries (GUIs) between operative approaches, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for sustaining an intraoperative GUI.Results The rates of preoperative comorbidities were significantly higher among patients who received an open operation. The proportion of GUIs was also significantly higher in this patient population. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that patients who underwent a laparoscopic proctectomy were associated with a 51.4% lower risk of sustaining a GUI. Furthermore, >10% body weight loss in the past 6 months and ASA class 3 status were independently associated with a higher risk of GUI regardless of operation type.Conclusion Patients who undergo a laparoscopic proctectomy are associated with a lower risk of GUI. On the other hand, patients with >10% body weight loss and ASA class 3: Severe Systemic Disease were associated with a higher risk of GUI.

ABSTRACT SHADSGasdermins (GSDMs) have garnered significant scientific interest due to their protective and detrimental roles in innate immunity, host defense, inflammation, and cancer alongside with other pathologies. While GSDMs are mostly recognized as key effectors of a lytic type of pro-inflammatory cell death known as pyroptosis, they do also take part in other cell death processes (NETosis, secondary necrosis, or apoptosis) and exhibit cell-death independent functions depending on the cellular context. Among GSDMs, Gasdermin B (GSDMB) pyroptotic capacity has been a subject of conflicting findings in scientific literature even when its processing, and subsequent activation, by Granzyme A (GZMA) was decoded. Nevertheless, recent groundbreaking publications have shed light on the crucial role of alternative splicing in determining the pyroptotic capacity of GSDMB isoforms, which depends on the presence of exon 6-derived elements. This comprehensive review pays attention to the relevant structural differences among recently crystalized GSDMB isoforms. As a novelty, the structural aspects governing GSDMB isoform susceptibility to GZMA-mediated activation have been investigated. By elucidating the complex roles of GSDMB isoforms, this review aims to deepen the understanding of this multifunctional player and its potential implications in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.

Nanoparticles used for medical applications commonly possess coatings or surface functionalities intended to provide specific behavior in vivo, for example, the use of PEG to provide stealth properties. Direct, quantitative measurement of the surface chemistry and composition of such systems in a hydrated environment has thus far not been demonstrated, yet such measurements are of great importance for the development of nanomedicine systems. Here we demonstrate the first use of cryo-XPS for the measurement of two PEG-functionalized nanomedicines: a polymeric drug delivery system and a lipid nanoparticle mRNA carrier. The observed differences between cryo-XPS and standard XPS measurements indicate the potential of cryo-XPS for providing quantitative measurements of such nanoparticle systems in hydrated conditions.

The proliferation of printed electronic devices is feeding the growth of the Internet of Things, with devices deployed everywhere to collect and communicate data. At the same time, the increase in low-cost disposable devices is a cause for serious environmental concern. In particular, widely used plastic substrates such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) are persistent hazards to the environment. Paper is promising as a greener substrate for printed electronics because it is biodegradable and sourced from renewable materials as well as being low cost and compatible with roll-to-roll printing. However, the porous microstructure of paper promotes wicking of functional inks, leading to poor electrical performance and printing resolution. Hydrophobic coatings applied to the surface of paper create a planarized, printable surface, but these materials may compromise biodegradability and/or recyclability. This paper describes a new resist-free patterning method for printed paper-based electronics that takes advantage of the porous structure of paper. Debossed contact printing uses the pressure from a debossing tip to compress the porous structure of paper and create a patterned relief structure. Printing functional inks with an unpatterned roller deposits ink only on the raised regions of the relief structure. We demonstrate debossed contact printing of silver, carbon black, and conducting polymer inks and show that this new fabrication method is suitable for the fabrication of printed devices with dense features. We demonstrate the fabrication of antennas and patterned electrodes for RFID and smart wallpaper applications, respectively.