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Paper manufacturers have long used silicone as the coating agent for release liners. However, silicone‐based release paper is very difficult to recycle due to covalent bonds between silicone and fibers. The most suitable solution to overcome this problem is to use alternative coating materials with adequate release properties, provided that they can be easily repulped in typical paper recycling facilities. We proposed a coating agent composed of phosphate esters and dimethylacetamide in order to manufacture a recyclable and efficient release paper. Analyses carried out on coated sheets showed that phosphate esters allowed the formation of a surface with adequate release properties (low peeling force and surface free energy). In addition, the residual adhesion values obtained with phosphate esters confirmed that they are well anchored on the backing paper surface, thus limiting the mass transfer to the adhesive tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is uncertainty whether postoperative application of paper tape (PT) improves scar aesthetics and reduces wound closure complications. This study aimed to review and assess the quality of applicable findings from studies investigating PT’s efficacy. We queried PubMed and SCOPUS using the search terms “((“paper tape”) AND (wound OR closure OR heal* OR complication OR skin OR prevent* OR scar*)).” We excluded articles that were duplicates, basic science, or not clinically relevant. We assessed the level of evidence for each article using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Rating Levels of Evidence and Grading Recommendations for Therapeutic Studies, ranging from I (highest) to V (lowest). Of 186 publications reviewed, we included eight studies in the literature review. Five of these studies reported statistically significant positive outcomes on scar aesthetics and wound closure associated with using PT. Using the ASPS rating system, we found that two studies were Level I, three studies were Level II, two studies were Level IV, and one study was Level V. Notably, heterogeneity in the study designs limited outcome comparison. The data from the studies included in this literature review support using PT to optimize scar and wound management. The lack of higher levels of evidence, however, suggests the need for additional randomized controlled trials to rigorously evaluate patient outcomes when using PT compared with other forms of adhesive dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kraft paper (KP) has the advantages of being biodegradable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly. It has a wide range of applications in paper packaging, food packaging, and other fields. However, the non-waterproof characteristic of KP limits its application in harsh environments or special paper packaging, etc. To solve the problem of poor water resistance of KP, a simple and efficient method is proposed to prepare superhydrophobic coatings on kraft paper (SKP) by spraying method using hydrophobic Nano-calcium carbonate (Nano-CaCO 3) particles and rosin (RA) as raw materials. Here, the micro-nano structures are mainly constructed by hydrophobic Nano-CaCO 3 particles, and RA is utilized as a binder to improve the adhesion between the nanoparticles and the paper. The results indicated that the water contact angle (WCA) of SKP reached 154.5° and the water sliding angle (WSA) was 3.2°. And after 34 h of immersion in water, the WCA of SKP surface can remain above 150°. It can also withstand 30 times of sandpaper abrasion and 30 times of tape peeling. Overall, SKP shows excellent stability, water resistance, stain resistance and self-cleaning. It is expected to protect important documents in harsh environments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research attempts to fabricate a novel type of pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape utilizing epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) as the primary component in an effort to reduce reliance on petrochemical polymers. This raw material comes from the natural renewable resources, making this tape a more environmentally friendly choice in reducing impact on the environment and alleviating resource pressure. The ester groups on ELO are subjected to hydrolysis in order to yield a combination of epoxy linseed oil fatty acids (ELFAs) containing both epoxy and carboxyl groups. By controlling the temperature and catalyst conditions, the epoxy and carboxyl groups undergo a ring‐opening reaction, resulting in the self‐polymerization of the ELFA mixture and the formation of hydroxy‐functionalized polymers. These polymers are then applied as a coating on kraft paper and subsequently cut to produce PSA tapes. The tapes produced using this method exhibit a peak peel strength of 20.538 N per 25 mm. Moreover, the incorporation of glycerol ester of rosin serves to enhance the peel strength, resulting in a higher value of 21.883 N per 25 mm. The utilization of sealing the cardboard box by the tapes also serves as validation for the immense capabilities of the tapes in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Conductor on Round Core (CORC) cable wound with a high-temperature superconductor is an important cable concept for high-current density applications. It is widely used in large power systems because of its advantages of good flexibility and high engineering current density. However, the complex design structure of CORC cable makes it very difficult to understand its electromagnetic properties (such as AC loss). In particular, the different winding directions of each layer in multi-layer cable have a great influence on its electromagnetic characteristics. In this paper, the H-method is used to solve the electromagnetism and mechanics equations. The influence of the winding direction of CORC cable on its electromagnetic field distribution characteristics, AC loss, and mechanical variation under the action of external magnetic field is investigated. The AC loss study of single-layer cable reveals that when the applied magnetic field is increased from 0.01 to 0.02 and 0.03 T, the AC loss peak of the cable increases by 107 and 103 orders of magnitude, respectively, indicating that the effect of low applied magnetic field on the AC loss of the cable is more significant. For multi-layer cables, cables with opposite winding directions have a greater depth of current density penetration than cables with the same winding direction. In addition, the mechanical variations of multi-layer cables with different winding orientations are explored. The results show that the Mises stress in the cable with the same winding direction is about 32% higher than that of the cable with the opposite winding direction, which indicates that the method of winding the cable in the opposite direction between adjacent layers of tape can avoid excessive mechanical stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presents an experimental evaluation of the bonding strength of materials commonly used in printing industry, using double-sided adhesive tape and thermal adhesives. The study revealed changes in adhesive strength when bonding various types and structures of paper and cardboard surfaces, as well as laminated glossy and matte surfaces. The experimental study aims to identify surfaces that exhibit optimal adhesive tape adhesion. Moreover, there are also surfaces that should not be used with double-sided tape, but instead should be glued with thermal adhesives. In addition, the study examines the effect of different separation rates on the bond strength of these materials. The results provide valuable information about the adhesive properties of materials in the printing industry, providing useful information for professionals to optimize printing processes and ensure the production of high-quality and durable printed products. The data presented in this article can assist in selecting appropriate adhesives for a variety of printing applications, which will achieve consistent and reliable results and can greatly affect their quality and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical photographs play a significant role as records, documenting the various stages of the history of Egypt and reflecting our identity and social, cultural, and religious values. Silver gelatin prints were the dominant positive printing processes in the 20th century. One of the most common forms of damage found among photographic collections is tears, which may result from improper handling and misuse, inappropriate storage, disasters, and other factors. In the past, tears were mended using pressure-sensitive tapes by amateurs and conservators. Over time, these tapes caused damage to the photographic surfaces since they oxidised, forming stains that are difficult and sometimes impossible to remove. Recently, many gel-based systems have been developed for use in the conservation of different cultural and historical materials, particularly paper artifacts. The aim of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of Klucel G and agar, as gel systems that are favoured by conservation specialists, in removing pressure-sensitive tapes from the surfaces of silver gelatin prints, as well as to study their effect on the photographs themselves. Organic solvents were added to the gel systems, and invaluable old photographs were used for this study. After treatment, samples were subjected to artificial ageing at a temperature of 80°C and 65% RH. Evaluation of the selected treatments was carried out through visual inspection, microscopic examination, colorimetric measurements, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that both gel-based systems with mixed organic solvents gave great results compared to the conventional methods in terms of tape removal. However, colour change was detected in the case of agar gel-treated samples. Agarose gel may be a more proper option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As it is known, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection design of integrated circuit is very important, among which the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is one of the most commonly used ESD protection devices. However, the traditional SCR has the disadvantages of too high trigger voltage, too low holding voltage after the snapback and longer turn-on time. The purpose of this paper is to design a high-performance SCR in accordance with the design window under 0.25 µm process, and provide a new scheme for SCR design to reduce the trigger voltage, improve the holding voltage and reduce the turn-on time. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the traditional SCR, an RC-INV trigger circuit is introduced. Through theoretical analysis, TCAD simulation and tape-out verification, it is shown that RC-INV triggering SCR can reduce the trigger voltage, increase the holding voltage and reduce the turn-on time of the device on the premise of maintaining good robustness. Findings: The RC-INV triggering SCR has great performance, and the test shows that the transmission line pulse curve with almost no snapback can be obtained. Compared with the traditional SCR, the trigger voltage decreased from 32.39 to 16.24 V, the holding voltage increased from 3.12 to 14.18 V and the turn-on time decreased from 29.6 to 16.6 ns, decreasing by 43.9% the level of human body model reached 18 kV+. Originality/value: Under 0.25 µm BCD process, this study propose a high-performance RC-INV triggering SCR ESD protection device. The work presented in this paper has a certain guiding significance for the design of SCR ESD protection devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the influence of superconducting tape insulation on the recovery time of superconducting fault current limiters. The analysis is based on the experimental results of short-circuit tests. The reduction in the thermal and dynamic effects of the passage of a fault current can be achieved by limiting the short-circuit time and the value of the surge current. An ideal fault current limiter is required to have almost zero impedance at operating currents and significant impedance at fault conditions. A superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) meets these requirements under certain conditions. The recovery time—a very important parameter—shows the ability of the limiter to return to the superconducting state to be ready to limit the subsequent short circuit. The experimental results show that the recovery time can be significantly reduced with the application of thin-film insulation and an appropriate design of the conduction cooling of the HTS tape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a fibrocellular proliferation on the inner surface of the retina causing blurred and distorted central vision. Surgery is the only effective method for ERM removal. This paper investigated the mechanical properties of ERM peeling using the finite element (FE) method. A FE model of ERM formation on the retina surface was constructed. The failure criterion was applied to the attachment pegs to represent the adhesive force between the ERM and retina. The simulation results were consistent with the experimental data in published research. The maximum peeling force was 4.1 mN at a peeling velocity of 2 mm/s and an angle of 30°. The peeling force was minimum at the peeling angle of 45° and increased with the increase in peeling velocity and Young's modulus of the membrane. The outcome of this paper can improve the safety and efficiency of ERM removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated tape placement (ATP) is an important automated process adopted for the fabrication of large composite components. Trajectory planning is the key link of ATP, which directly affects the precision and efficiency of the layup process and the quality of final products. Presently, most existing trajectory optimization methods for ATP focus on smooth surfaces. Nevertheless, as commercial CAD/CAM software generally uses NURBS (Non-uniform Rational B-Splines) for modelling, the difficulty of finding the solution and the low efficiency associated with the calculation process are inevitable. The discrete methods provide alternatives for designing layup trajectories, whereas their accuracy is seldom analysed. Furthermore, a path optimization algorithm for eliminating gap problems while preventing wrinkles on discrete models is rarely reported. In this paper, the adjustment of layup trajectories for ATP is considered on triangular meshes. First, the triangular mesh is reconstructed as a Nagata patch to recover the original geometry with good accuracy. Then, a numerical method for tracing desired paths on the Nagata patch set is provided and the computation efficiency is validated. Next, two optimization methodologies are proposed to improve the layup of composite tapes while avoiding wrinkles. Finally, the presented two strategies are examined on a discrete hyperbolic surface and a discrete freeform surface and some of the results are delivered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the first outcomes and results of using an integrated territorial tool applied by the Interreg V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme (2014–2020), the 'Territorial Action Plan for Employment', or, briefly: the TAPE. The tool is aimed at facilitating quality employment and cross-border labour mobility through the implementation of 2–7 interdependent projects within a geographically defined subregion of the programme area, with the involvement of SMEs, training institutions, NGOs and municipalities. The author introduces the tool and the nine TAPEs financed by the CBC programme and gives a comprehensive assessment of their outcomes and results from the points of view of cross-border labour market development, integrated soft planning and trust building with a special focus on the aspect of cross-border relevance. The study concludes that the tool does not meet the preliminary expectations: its cross-border relevance is not much stronger than the traditional standalone CBC projects. At the same time, the bottom-up cross-border planning exercise has significant added value which might make the tool attractive for other CBC programmes, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal violet (CV) staining technique represents a prevalent approach for the development of latent fingerprints, especially on adhesive tape surfaces. Nevertheless, the technique necessitates intricate formulations to augment its performance. In this investigation, an optimized CV staining protocol was developed, characterized by the absence of residual dye on the target substrates and the capability of facilitating fingerprint visualization under ambient light conditions. Four donors, comprising two males and two females, deposited natural fingerprints on various substrates, including glass microscope slides, aluminum foil, and 115 g glossy coated paper, without any specific guidelines. Fingerprints developed using cyanoacrylate fuming served as benchmarks and were contrasted with those generated through alternative methods: CV, ardrox, rhodamine 6G, powdering, and the optimized CV staining protocol. The fingerprint development experiment was replicated at seven distinct time intervals, encompassing 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, resulting in a dataset of 420 fingerprints. The evaluation of fingerprint identifiability employed a scoring system established by the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology. The results indicated that the optimized CV staining technique demonstrated superior performance, boasting a 92.9% rate of identifiable fingerprint development in contrast to other employed methodologies. Consequently, this optimized CV staining approach is recommended as an efficient, rapid, and straightforward critical dyeing method, applicable to a wide array of substrates in forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, field-portable method based on spark emission spectroscopy has been developed for on-site measurement of surface contamination for particulate metals. This method involves collection of a surface sample onto a piece of adhesive copper tape, followed by ablation and excitation by a spark discharge generated between a sharp electrode and the copper tape. The resulting atomic emissions are recorded using a spectrometer for elemental identification and quantification. The system was calibrated for Co, Cr, Fe and Mn using their characteristic emission lines. Detection limits were determined and found to be in the range of 3–19 ng cm−2 and measurement uncertainty was 35%. This approach was applied to the measurement of surfaces deposited with unknown loading of a welding fume sample, and results show a good agreement with those from standardized NIOSH method 9102. This method offers an alternative to the development of field-portable instruments for on-site, rapid determination of surface contamination for metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flexible conducting lossy shield is developed and demonstrated for a reduction in the back radiation of a linearly polarized X-band patch antenna for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications. The proposed structure comprises a flexible patch antenna backed by a laminated sheet of Expanded Graphite (EG). This flexible sheet is prepared from EG powder pressed uniformly over a thin adhesive tape. The conducting nature of EG is exploited, and the EG sheet is used as a protective shield to prevent back radiation emanating out of the WBAN antenna from propagating toward the human body. The antenna performance is tested over human wrist phantoms experimentally and through full wave simulation studies. The results indicate the marginal variation in the −10 dB impedance bandwidth with a slight increase in the gain and directivity values for a resonant frequency in the range 9.7–10.3 GHz (bending radius variation of 40, 30, and 20 mm and along two bending planes). A measured on-body gain of 6.7 dBi is exhibited by the antenna backed by the EG shield and bent over a 20 mm radius human wrist phantom with an S11 of −19 dB, a −10 dB % bandwidth of 8%, and a directivity of 9.4 dBi. All the other bending configurations exhibit values higher than these. Electric field and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) studies reveal a reduction in wave penetration by the EG shield antenna inside the wrist phantom with a decrease in the SAR by a maximum of 5%. The measured front-to-back ratio values indicate the lowering of back radiation with a maximum average increase of 76% exhibited by an EG backed antenna. The developed EG shield has an additional advantage of being a standalone structure, which can be integrated with any wearable antenna for a possible reduction in the back radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesive sealing tapes play an important role in ensuring the air tightness of the building, affecting the indoor microclimate and efficient energy use. However, there is still a lack of objective indicators that would demonstrate the ability of the sealing tape to ensure the long-term air tightness of the sealing joints of various building structures. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to investigate the indicators demonstrating the suitability of adhesive sealing tapes for sealing building structures of different surfaces and deformation, to provide detailed analyses of the results, and to propose practical recommendations. The investigated self-adhesive tapes differed in backing (nonwoven material, plastic reinforced film, paper, metal foil) and adhesives (acrylic and butyl). The materials of the sealed structural joints were plywood, OSB, plasterboard, cement sawdust board, plastered board, and plastic. The thickness, deformability, peel and shear adhesion of the self-adhesive tapes were used to determine its suitability for sealing of different structural joints. It was determined that tapes with higher deformability are more versatile, as they are suitable for sealing joints subjected to small and large deformations. The higher peel adhesion is typical for tapes of an air-permeable non-woven material backing and a thin adhesive layer. Tapes with a thicker adhesive layer are most suitable for sealing complex-shaped joints. Tapes with acrylic adhesive have a higher peeling force from smooth and moderately smooth surfaces, whereas butyl adhesive creates better contact with uneven surfaces in highly deformable joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a simple and cost-effective method was proposed and developed to prepare a novel multilayer-structured Kevlar®@nickel-phosphorus-boron@copper@copper stearate (Kevlar®@Ni–P–B@Cu@CS) composite fabric with high conductivity, high flexibility, high hydrophobicity, and high durability to effectively shield electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this method, an amorphous Ni–P–B alloy nanolayer was initially deposited onto a Kevlar® fabric via electroless plating. Afterward, a crystalline Cu nanolayer was deposited as the second layer via electroplating. Finally, a monolayer of copper stearate was innovatively self-assembled as the outermost protective layer. The Cu deposition was effectively adjusted and designed by controlling the plating current and plating time. The electrical resistance and contact angle of the optimized Kevlar®@Ni–P–B@Cu@CS composite fabric were as low as 3.2 mΩ sq−1 and as high as 115.39°, respectively, indicating that the fabric could withstand bending, tape-off, corrosion, and accelerated environmental tests. The average EMI-shielding efficiency of the durable composite fabric was 93.9 dB in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz, which was mainly attributed to the absorption loss. Thus, the proposed material configuration has promise for applications in aviation, aerospace, telecommunication, wearable devices, and military industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For high-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables carrying substantial currents, the current carrying capacity of a single YBCO tape is limited, and multiple tapes need to be connected in parallel. The current sharing design of parallel YBCO tapes has emerged as a central concern in the HTS cable design. However, various tape parameters, including critical current I c , n-value, and joint resistance, can significantly influence the current distribution in the system. In this paper, the influence of YBCO tape parameters on the current distribution characteristics of the cable was studied. The results showed that the current distribution and quench characteristics were regulated by tape I c , tape n-value, and tape joint resistance together, and that meanwhile, the total current also served as an important factor. Significant influence of the joint resistance was also observed in the event of a limited total current, which was no longer obvious for a total current close to the total I c . For the parallel tapes with the same I c , the one with higher resistance quenched later, while in the case of the same resistance, the effect of the tape I c is greater than that of the tape n-value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high aspect ratio of REBCO tapes has a significant impact on several characteristics in high-temperature superconducting applications, such as critical current and AC loss. Narrow filamentary technology can effectively reduce the impact of magnetic field dependence and enhance the electromagnetic performance of REBCO tapes. However, the existing methods are constrained by the trade-off between the narrow degree of REBCO filaments and high current capacity. Meanwhile, when processing REBCO tapes for large-scale magnets, there is a great possibility that local defects are lurking. A striated narrow-stacked (NS) structure is proposed based on the existing narrowing methods to address these challenges. To verify the validity of this structure, it is imperative to explore the non-uniform critical current and stacking effect on performance for multi-filament REBCO tapes with potential defects. This article introduces a magnetic extended network (MEN) model to analyze the electrical characteristics of striated NS structures with different types of potential defects. Then, by coupling with a 3D finite element method electromagnetic module, the calculation results of the MEN model are visualized and used to analyze the electromagnetic characteristics including current sharing mechanism, magnetic field distribution, and critical current compensation due to stacking effect. It is found that stack structures successfully provide the performance remedy for multi-filament REBCO tapes with potential defects. This study aims to promote the narrowing improvement of REBCO tapes in high-field magnets and high-current applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to investigate the normal and oblique impact of an elastic sphere (tennis ball) on a granular surface (clay) and two different plastic tape lines. In this research, we model the impact force with a mathematical elastoplastic force model, and a differential approach is used. The model is applied for an impact with granular material (green clay) and plastic surfaces (line tapes). We investigated the normal and oblique impact dynamics of a sphere (tennis ball). The impact duration is divided into two phases: compression with an elastoplastic force and restitution with an elastic force. The laboratory experiments in various configurations are recorded with a high frame-per-second camera and analyzed using image processing methods. The mathematical model for the impact with rebounds is verified with the experimental set-up for the considered surfaces. The viscoelastic and elastic forces agree well with the experimental data. The impact parameters of the granular surface and plastic tapes are compared. The ANOVA test suggests robust statistical significance in the coefficient of restitution between granular surfaces and plastic tapes. Our force model for impact performs well, and the impact responses of the sphere on the granular surface and the plastic line tapes are significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For biomedical applications, hydroxyapatite and carbon nanotubes are currently being applied over duplex stainless steel (DSS) alone in order to increase corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. A composite of hydroxyapatite and multi-walled carbon nanotubes was used to improve biocompatibility, osseointegration, and corrosion resistance on 2205 DSS using electrophoretic deposition. The study investigates the effects of potential and time on the properties of the deposited layer in order to determine electrophoretic deposition factor values that are appropriate. The coating properties and effective groups of the phase resulting from this process are determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial properties of E. coli bacterial strains are investigated for the coated layer. The adhesion between the hydroxyapatite and multi-walled carbon nanotube layers on the 2205 duplex stainless steel substrate was qualitatively evaluated using the adhesive tape test. It was found that the optimal suspension, which consists of 65 weight percent hydrogen acetate and 35 weight percent multi-walled carbon nanotubes, had a homogeneous morphology, a thick structure, and no cracks when coated at 50 V for two minutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cutaneous microbiome represents a topic of high interest nowadays. Multiple studies have suggested the importance of the skin microbiome in different dermatological pathologies, highlighting the possible implications of cutaneous microorganisms in either the pathogenesis or prognosis of skin maladies. Psoriasis represents a common inflammatory skin disease, with a high prevalence in the worldwide population. The role of the cutaneous microbiome in psoriasis could explain a number of pathogenic theories and treatment objectives of this incurable skin disease. Our interest in the characteristics of the cutaneous microbiome, especially in psoriatic patients who attended a tertiary dermatological centre in Galati, Romania, is reflected in our current study, of which the preliminary results are discussed in this article. Using three types of skin sampling techniques (swabs, adhesive tape, and punch biopsies), we tried to characterise the microorganisms harboured in the skin of psoriatic patients and healthy individuals. This study was performed using culture-based probes, which were analysed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer equipment. Our preliminary results suggested that the greatest diversity was observed in the perilesional areas of psoriatic patients. The lowest cutaneous diversity was obtained from sampling psoriatic plaques. These results are similar to other studies of the cutaneous microbiome in psoriasis. The most frequent microorganisms found in all groups studied were of the Staphylococcus species: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Analysing the living environment of each individual from this study, our preliminary results suggested different results from other studies, as higher diversity and heterogenicity was observed in urban environments than in rural living areas. Regarding the differences between sexes, our preliminary results showed higher quantitative and qualitative changes in the skin microbiome of male participants than female participants, opposite to the results found in other studies of the cutaneous microbiome in psoriasis. Given these preliminary results, we can conclude that we have found important differences by studying the cutaneous microbiome of psoriatic patients and healthy control individuals from a population that, to our knowledge, has not been yet studied from this point of view. Our results showed important characteristics of the skin microbiome in an Eastern European population, where cultural and environmental living habits could influence the cutaneous microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants can autonomously adjust their growth direction based on the gravitropic response to maximize energy acquisition, despite lacking nerves and muscles. Endowing soft robots with gravitropism may facilitate the development of self‐regulating systems free of electronics, but remains elusive. Herein, acceleration‐regulated soft actuators are described that can respond to the gravitational field by leveraging the unique fluidity of liquid metal in its self‐limiting oxide skin. The soft actuator is obtained by magnetic printing of the fluidic liquid metal heater circuit on a thermoresponsive liquid crystal elastomer. The Joule heat of the liquid metal circuit with gravity‐regulated resistance can be programmed by changing the actuator's pose to induce the flow of liquid metal. The actuator can autonomously adjust its bending degree by the dynamic interaction between its thermomechanical response and gravity. A gravity‐interactive soft gripper is also created with controllable grasping and releasing by rotating the actuator. Moreover, it is demonstrated that self‐regulated oscillation motion can be achieved by interfacing the actuator with a monostable tape spring, allowing the electronics‐free control of a bionic walker. This work paves the avenue for the development of liquid metal‐based reconfigurable electronics and electronics‐free soft robots that can perceive gravity or acceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tack of prepreg is a key factor affecting the automatic tape laying process. During the manufacturing process of large composite parts, prepreg material may be stored at room temperature for several days, resulting in a decrease in its tack. In this study, a new tack test tool was designed, and the decay rate of prepreg tack at different temperatures was tested. We proposed a prepreg tack decay model, which assumes that the main factor in tack decay is the reduction in resin chain activity during storage. The maximum deviation between the model calculation results and the experimental results of the tack decay rate is 9.7%. This study also proposed a new statistical unit for prepreg tack, which can establish the relationship between the tack of prepreg and its remaining storage time and reduce prepreg management costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the tightness of buildings using self-adhesive tapes is one of the cost-effective, efficient, and reliable solutions. There is a lack of research, standards, and methodologies for construction adhesive tape, especially for assessing the functional properties of the tape after ageing. The aim of this work is to evaluate the tightness of different building surfaces and adhesive tape systems by conducting artificial ageing. It was found that adhesive tapes with an acrylic adhesive base ensured a fully sealed system. In all cases, tapes applied to surfaces such as plywood, gypsum plasterboard, cement-bonded particle board, plastered cement-bonded particle board, and plastic board provided sufficient sealing. The air permeability of the tapes on the OSB was two to seven times higher than that of the defined sealed system with other surfaces. In most cases, air permeability increased on OSB, gypsum plasterboard, and plastered cement-bonded particle board after ageing. The least problematic surface is the plastic board. In all tested cases, adequate sealing was observed after ageing, with only three of all tested tapes not providing sufficient bonding strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NASICON-structured Na3MnZr(PO4)3 compound is a promising high-voltage cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this study, an easy and scalable electrospinning approach was used to synthesize self-standing cathodes based on Na3MnZr(PO4)3 loaded into carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Different strategies were applied to load the active material. All the employed characterization techniques (X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy) confirmed the successful loading. Compared to an appositely prepared tape-cast electrode, Na3MnZr(PO4)3/CNF self-standing cathodes demonstrated an enhanced specific capacity, especially at high C-rates, thanks to the porous conducive carbon nanofiber matrix. Among the strategies applied to load Na3MnZr(PO4)3 into the CNFs, the electrospinning (vertical setting) of the polymeric solution containing pre-synthesized Na3MnZr(PO4)3 powders resulted effective in obtaining the quantitative loading of the active material and a homogeneous distribution through the sheet thickness. Notably, Na3MnZr(PO4)3 aggregates connected to the CNFs, covered their surface, and were also embedded, as demonstrated by TEM and EDS. Compared to the self-standing cathodes prepared with the horizontal setting or dip–drop coating methods, the vertical binder-free electrode exhibited the highest capacity values of 78.2, 55.7, 38.8, 22.2, 16.2, 12.8, 10.3, 9.0, and 8.5 mAh/g at C-rates of 0.05C, 0.1C, 0.2C, 0.5C, 1C, 2C, 5C, 10C, and 20C, respectively, with complete capacity retention at the end of the measurements. It also exhibited a good cycling life, compared to its tape-cast counterpart: it displayed higher capacity retention at 0.2C and 1C, and, after cycling 1000 cycles at 1C, it could be further cycled at 5C, 10C, and 20C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the development of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)–honey-gel (PHG) through 3D printing, aiming to develop a multifunctional bio-tape with adhesive and degradable properties. Based on the potential of honey to promote wound healing due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, a PVP–honey-based 3D printing ink was developed by combining honey and PVP to create PHG through 3D printing technology that can form a film with strong adhesion and flexibility. First, the chemical–physical properties of PHG and its 3D printing performance were characterized. The line width achievable in 3D printing for the PHG line can extend to ∼100 µm. In addition, the adhesive properties of the PHG film were evaluated by using a 180° peeling test on various materials (glass, copper, wood, and pig skin), highlighting its potential for diverse applications. Finally, the application of the PHG film as a bio-tape was demonstrated through a successful animal experiment on a rabbit's skin wound. Due to its adhesive and degradable properties, the bio-tape exhibited 3D conformability and ease of removal without residue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite coatings on the surface of a semi-continuous cast 7005 aluminum alloy under different aging treatments (T6, RRA, and FSA) are presented and characterized in this research. SiO2 combined with stearic acid (STA) modified by KH550 was utilized to achieve multifunctional superhydrophobic coatings. Adhesive tape adhesion, blade scratch, and mechanical wear tests were utilized to assess the durability of the superhydrophobic coatings. The results showed that the prepared coatings exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning ability, and mechanical properties, especially the T6 temper alloy. This alloy had the largest CA value (156.5°) and the lowest SA value (4.3°). The composite coatings still exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity under mechanical damage. Furthermore, the alloys with STA/SiO2 displayed marvelous corrosion resistance efficiency. The T6 temper alloy with a protection rate of 73.8% had an approximately one-order-of-magnitude decrement in carrion current density. The composite coating can be effectively utilized in various industrial fields, thus extending its potential impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the low adhesion observed at the interface between solid and liquid, superhydrophobic coatings hold significant promise for various applications, such as self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, anti-icing, and drag reduction. However, a notable challenge hindering their widespread adoption in these domains lies in their delicate durability. In this study, we propose a straightforward method for preparation. The fluorosilicone resin is initially discretized through a gradual introduction of nonsolvent into its solution, followed by thorough mixing and stirring with silica nanoparticles. The resulting mixture is then sprayed onto the substrate surface after drying, forming a self-similar, porous, and rough structure extending from top to bottom. This process yields a coating exhibiting excellent chemical and mechanical durability simultaneously. Using this approach, we achieved a superhydrophobic coating with a contact angle of 156° and a roll angle of 2.2°, with water droplet adhesion of only 10.8 ± 0.4 µN. Remarkably, the coating maintained excellent superhydrophobicity even after undergoing sandpaper abrasion (10 m), tape peeling (30 times), and prolonged water impact (60 min), showing its robust mechanical stability. Furthermore, following exposure to acid, alkali, and aqueous solutions (7 days), UV irradiation (10 days), and extreme temperature variations (–20 °C to 80 °C), the coatings retained their superhydrophobic properties and exhibited good chemical durability. This method offers a novel approach to enhance the durability and practicality of superhydrophobic coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A porous anti-reflective coating (P-ARC) with average transmittance in the visible range of 97.9% was fabricated through the sol-gel method, followed by calcination at a relatively low temperature (220 °C) using the porogen of Laureth-5 carboxylic acid via a one-step approach. The results demonstrated the coating had an absolute value that was 7.5% higher than that of bare glass (92%). The prepared porous anti-reflective coating had a refractive index as low as 1.21. The coating remained undamaged during 3M tape stripping tests while maintaining excellent light transmittance. This work presents a film that has good thermal stability, chemical stability, and mechanical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VEGA-3 laser system at the Centro de Láseres Pulsados delivers laser pulses up to 1 PW at 1 Hz repetition rate, focused to intensities up to 2.5 × 10 20 W cm−2. A versatile and compact solid target suitable for up to 0.05 Hz is presented which can operate in the challenging petawatt laser environment close to the laser-plasma interaction. Strips are spooled in a tape target system to deliver a solid density target to the laser focus for every shot. Results are presented for different tape materials and thicknesses, and a shot-to-shot standard deviation of the cut-off energy of 1.5% was obtained for Kapton reinforced aluminium tapes of 9 µ m thickness. Experimental ion spectra are recorded by a Thomson Parabola Ion Spectrometer coupled with a scintillator screen; and an antenna array is used for the characterization of electromagnetic pulses. The results of both diagnostics show a good shot-to-shot stability of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D-printed anodes for bioelectrochemical systems are increasingly being reported. However, comparisons between 3D-printed anodes and their non-3D-printed counterparts with the same material composition are still lacking. In addition, surface roughness parameters that could be correlated with bioelectrochemical performance are rarely determined. To fill these gaps, slurries with identical composition but different mass fractions were processed into SiOC anodes by tape-casting, freeze-casting, or direct-ink writing. The current generation was investigated using electroactive biofilms enriched with Geobacter spp. Freeze-cast anodes showed more surface pores and the highest surface kurtosis of 5.7 ± 0.5, whereas tape-cast and 3D-printed anodes showed a closed surface porosity. 3D-printing was only possible using slurries 85 wt% of mass fraction. The surface pores of the freeze-cast anodes improved bacterial adhesion and resulted in a high initial (first cycle) maximum current density per geometric surface area of 9.2 ± 2.1 A m−2. The larger surface area of the 3D-printed anodes prevented pore clogging and produced the highest current density per geometric surface area of 12.0 ± 1.2 A m−2. The current density values of all anodes are similar when the current density is normalized over the entire geometric surface as determined by CT-scans. This study highlights the role of geometric surface area in normalizing current generation and the need to use more surface roughness parameters to correlate anode properties, bacterial adhesion, and current generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hair tubes provide a non-invasive method for determining the presence and activity of small mammals by evaluating hair left in hair tubes. Data can be converted into activity indices. In this study, a specially adapted program was developed to semi-automatically determine hair density as a proxy of activity. Adhesive tape with hair from a field experiment was processed, scanned, and analyzed by the program to obtain a quantitative measure of hair density. The validation of hair tubes with wildlife cameras in the field showed a moderate-to-strong positive correlation between hair tube data and recorded rodents. The program is simple but effective and does not require a large amount of deep learning data. Due to its reduced complexity, it facilitates error detection and fine-tuning. The use of hair tubes in combination with this program should provide an easy-to-use, non-invasive method to determine small mammal activity. Activity indices are used to determine the presence and activity of small mammals, such as the hair index derived from the use of hair tubes. In contrast to trapping animals, hair tubes are non-invasive and less labor-intensive, and appear to be a suitable alternative in appropriate settings. We developed a method to calculate hair density semi-automatically. In addition, hair tube data were validated with field data using wildlife cameras for the small mammal community in grassland, wheat crops, and hedges to assess how well data from hair tubes match data from wildlife cameras. Adhesive tape with hair from hair tubes was processed and scanned. The resulting images were analyzed using a newly developed computer program that enables background and adhesive tape to be automatically distinguished from hair, providing a quantitative measure of hair density. Based on validation with wildlife cameras, hair tubes seem to be a suitable tool to estimate small mammal activity at the community level in several habitats. There was a moderate-to-strong positive correlation of the hair tube index with the sum of voles and Apodemus individuals (activity index) recorded in grasslands (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.43), hedges (0.79), and wheat (0.44). The newly developed computer program allows the automatic calculation of hair density, making it easier to assess the activity of small mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polyethylene covers have been proven to be effective in protecting the eyes in patients with decreased or disappeared blink reflexes, but their advantages compared to other conventional methods are still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to elucidate the impact of polyethylene covers in the prevention of ocular surface disease (OSD) in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We searched the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases to identify randomized controlled trial studies. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines and used the Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess the risk of bias. Results: The findings were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals. The incidence of OSD in the polyethylene cover group was lower than that in the eye drops group (RR = 0.27; 95% CI (0.07, 1.09), P = 0.07) and adhesive tape group (RR = 0.11, 95%CI (0.04, 0.31), P < 0:0001) but the polyethylene cover group showed no significant difference compared to the eye gel group (RR = 0.79, 95%CI (0.18, 3.51), P = 0.76) and the eye ointment group (RR = 0.85; 95% CI (0.36, 1.99), P = 0.71). Conclusion: This study showed that polyethylene covers, eye gels, and eye ointments had an equal effect on preventing OSD in ICU patients, and eye drops and adhesive tapes were relatively less effective. However, other intervention methods had not been compared due to the small number of articles. Hence, further studies should assess the available methods to choose the best practical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen-head automatic tape laying of non-crimped carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic is performed, and the fibre alignment is compared with that produced via hand laying. The effect of fibre alignment is tested via quasi-static and cyclic three-point bending tests. Using the Fill Multilayer (a 16-head tape-laying machine), precision fibre laying of unidirectional fabrics is performed with deliberate misalignment to examine the effect of fibre orientation and investigate the random effect on longitudinal misalignment. The automatic tape-layered coupons are compared with hand-layered carbon fibre tapes to investigate the relationship between the fibre alignment and the flexural strength. A 52% reduction in the fibre alignment scatter is achieved via the Fill Multilayer. Fibre orientation increases lead to a higher flexural strength of 16.08% for Fill Multilayer-made coupons compared with hand-layered samples. An investigation of the correlation between fibre alignment and flexural strength shows that shear-based failure increases exponentially as the alignment decreases. Fill Multilayer-made coupons have a higher void concentration due to ultrasonic welding, but also the highest modulus and flexural strength, as fibre misalignment is reduced to 1.68°, with a modulus degradation of 1.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endotracheal tube fixation in ventilated patients must be appropriate to ensure security during mechanical ventilation and prevent skin lesions. The incidence of endotracheal tube‐caused pressure ulcers ranges from 7% to 45%. Various endotracheal tube fixations are used in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. By pressure exercised on the skin, these systems could lead to mucosal and skin peri-oral lesions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the two fixation systems most commonly used in French ICUs (adhesive elastic band versus fixation cord with PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) sheath) on the incidence of these peri-oral skin lesions. Methods: This studyis a multicenter, open-label, controlled, superiority, cluster cross-over randomized trial. 768 patients will be recruited in the 16 ICUs involved. The inclusion of patients will be carried out over two 12-month periods. Each site begins with one of the evaluated fixation systems: elastic adhesive tape or cord associated with a protective sheath. After a 4-month break, each site switches to the other fixation system. The primary outcome is the development of at least one peri-oral lesion during the first ten days of maintaining an orally inserted endotracheal tube. The presence of lesions is assessed by a blinded adjudication committee using photographs taken daily. Discussion: This study is the first multicenter, randomized trial designed to evaluate the impact of elastic adhesive tape versus fixation cord with PVC sheath on the incidence of peri-oral lesions. The results will provide data which could change and standardize care practices. Trial registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Reference number: NCT04819425. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat augmentation techniques play a vital role in the heating and cooling processes in industries, including solar collectors and many applications that utilize heat exchangers. Several studies are based on inserting fillers inside the tubes to enhance heat transfer. This investigation considered the effects of twisted tapes with large holes on a tubular heat exchanger's (HX) heat transmission, pressure drop, and thermal boosting factor. In the experimental section, counter-swirl flow generators used twisted tapes with pairs of 1.0 cm-diameter holes and changes in porosity (Rp) at 1.30% and 2.70%. In the experiments, air was utilized as a working fluid in a tube with a circular cross-section. The turbulent f low was considered, with Reynolds numbers (Re) domain from 4800 to 9500, and a boundary condition with a uniform wall heat f lux was constructed. The findings expound that when the number of holes rose, the Nusselt number (Nu), the factor of friction (f), and the thermal enhancement factor (η) all increased as well. Additionally, as the friction factor increased, the Nusselt number of the tape-equipped tube was noticeably higher. Additionally, it was discovered that the friction factor was between 70% and 94% lower than the values of the tube without tape, while the (Nu) was between 87% and 97% higher than the conventional tube values. The maximum value of η is 89%. According to the experimental results, empirical correlations for Nu, f, and η were also generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automation of the manufacturing processes of thermoplastic composite laminates has become dependent on open mold processes such as automated tape placement (ATP), which couples tape layering with in situ consolidation. The manufacturing parameters of ATP open mold processes, which comprise processing time, consolidation pressure and temperature, affect the bond strength between the plies and the quality of the laminates produced. Therefore, the effect of the manufacturing parameters should be characterized. This work experimentally evaluates the feasibility of fabricating thermoplastic laminates using an open mold process that reasonably models that of ATP. Glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene laminates are fabricated from unidirectional tapes under different consolidation periods, pressures, and temperatures. The bond quality in the produced laminates is assessed by measuring their interlaminar shear strength, which is measured using a short beam standardized shear test in conjunction with digital image correlation. Results show that consolidation can occur at temperatures slightly below the composite tapes' complete melting temperature, and consolidation times between 7 and 13 min can result in acceptable bond strengths. The results confirmed the feasibility of the process and highlighted its limitations. Analysis of variance and machine learning showed that the effect of process parameters on interlaminar shear strength is nonlinear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing a friction pair "polymer-metal" using improved polymeric composites is contemplated a complicated task due to the inert surface of the polymer. Gluing polymer composites with improved mechanical and tribological properties on metals and saving their unique properties at the same time is considered the best way to prepare slide bearing products based on polymer/metal. In this work, ultraviolet initiation is used after a process of mixed acid pre-treatment. The surface of highly oriented films based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) is grafted with nanocellulose. The grafting treatment is analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. Mechanical T-peel tests showed that the peel strength for the treated UHMWPE films increased by three times, up to 1.9 kg/cm, in comparison to the untreated films. The tensile strength of the treated UHMWPE films decreased by about 6% to 788 MPa. Tribological tests showed that the values of both friction coefficient and wear intensity of the treated UHMWPE films were increased insignificantly, which were 0.172 and 15.43 µm/m·m2, respectively. The prepared adhesive tape based on UHMWPE films, which can withstand a weight of up to 6 kg per 1 cm2 of the bonded surface, has a low coefficient of friction, high wear resistance, and high strength, and is considered a promising material for preparing slide bearing products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In forensic science, latex gloves are used to prevent law enforcement personnel from contaminating crime scenes or evidence with DNA or marks from the hands. Law enforcement personnel, however, are not the only people who want to avoid leaving DNA or latent marks at a crime scene. Perpetrators of crimes may also wear latex gloves. Alas, several forensic scientists reported that in certain cases even while wearing latex gloves, fingerprints transferred to adhesive tapes while attempting to process the tape for latent marks. Pressure sensitive tapes tend to be ideal surfaces for recovering latent marks and are commonly encountered in criminal cases involving drug packaging, explosive devices, or violent crimes (e.g., binding a victim's hands and feet). When a latent mark is developed on the adhesive surface of the tape, it may not be obvious if the latent mark was made by a bare finger or a gloved finger. Knowing that a suspect wore gloves could sometimes discourage the investigation unit from performing fingermark development procedures, as the odds to recover evidence successfully are limited. This study examines the feasibility of the transfer of friction ridge details through latex gloves to different types of adhesive tapes and uncovers the required conditions and a possible mechanism for the occurrence of this phenomenon. The findings of this work show that it is possible to develop and identify fingermarks transferred originally by gloved fingers. This study also shows that visualization of ridge details on adhesive tapes surfaces contain unique characteristics, which aid differentiating between bare or gloved hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CORC superconducting cable is a compact and flexible composite superconductor. It is widely used in large power systems because of its good flexibility and high engineering current density. In these applications, reducing the AC loss generated by the superconductor is a key factor in studying the electromagnetic field of the superconducting conductor, which affects the operational stability of the entire superconducting power device. Currently, the use of striated tape-wound cables not only allows for flexible wiring at design time but also effectively reduces AC losses. This technology has been widely used in large superconducting magnet equipment. In this paper, the finite element model of single superconducting tape and CORC superconducting cable is established based on the finite element idea. The electromagnetic properties and mechanical changes are numerically calculated by H-method. The results show that both the current density and the magnetic field of a single superconducting tape show a gradual penetration from the two sides to the center. The area of maximum current density and magnetic field distribution is at the tape boundary. The distribution of current density, magnetic field and Lorentz force of three-dimensional CORC superconducting cable is similar. All of them are gradually attenuated from the maximum value at the boundary to the center position. It is worth noting that the current density, magnetic field and Lorentz force of the striated superconducting cables are smaller than the values without striations. The calculation results of the finite element model in this paper show that the striations weaken the current density, magnetic field and Lorentz force of the CORC superconducting cable by about 8.77%, 16.21% and 9.23%. Moreover, the presence of striations can effectively reduce the AC loss of superconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]