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Polymer‐in‐salt‐electrolytes (PISEs) are an important class of electrolytes as they carry the promise of faster and single ion transport. Unfortunately, due to unavailability of a suitable polymer host PISE has still not reached to commercial level. In the present work, using a novel synthesis protocol developed by the group, glutaraldehyde crosslinked wheat starch has been successfully modified with sodium iodide (NaI) to synthesize a flexible PISE membrane with desired electrochemical properties. Present paper reports the effect of crosslinker and exposure to high humidity ambience on electrochemical and morphological properties. It has been established that on exposure to higher humidity atmosphere starch‐based PISEs stabilize at lower resistance value, but with higher ion relaxation time, which indicates that effect of high humidity treatment is more on salt dissociation instead of assisting the ion transport. The studied materials have conductivity ≈0.01 S cm−1 range with ESW >2.5 V, ensuring its usability in electrochemical devices. The developed synthesis protocol does not require any complicated synthesis route and/or sophisticated instrument hence the overall process is economical also, adding up to its potentiality for energy device fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnO2/ZnO@ZIF‐8 core‐shell nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning and hydrothermal etching ZnO component of SnO2/ZnO nanofibers. It is found that the ZIF‐8 coated SnO2/ZnO nanostructures are obtained, and the ZIF‐8 coating can obviously increase the specific surface area of nanofibers. H2S sensing properties of the sensors based on composite nanofibers were investigated. The results show that SnO2/ZnO@ZIF‐8 core‐shell nanostructures can not only improve the response to H2S, but also effectively reduce the interference of ambient humidity on semiconductor gas sensors. The response of the optimal sample to 5 ppm H2S can reach 202.3, which is about 19 times higher than that of pure SnO2 nanofibers. Compared with the response at the ambient humidity of 55 %RH, the response at the ambient humidity of 90 %RH can still maintain 84.7 %. Good selectivity and stability are also observed in our investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Skin wetness occurring secondary to the build‐up of sweat on the skin provokes thermal discomfort, the precursor to engaging in cool‐seeking behaviour.Associative evidence indicates that skin wetness stimulates cool‐seeking behaviour to a greater extent than increases in core and mean skin temperatures.The independent contribution of skin wetness to cool‐seeking behaviour during heat stress has never been established.We demonstrate that skin wetness augments cool‐seeking behaviour during passive heat stress independently of differential increases in skin temperature and core temperature.We also identify that perceptions of skin wetness were not elevated despite increases in actual skin wetness.These data support the proposition that afferent signalling from skin wetness enhances the desire to engage in cool‐seeking behaviour during passive heat stress. This study tested the hypothesis that elevations in skin wetness augments cool‐seeking behaviour during passive heat stress. Twelve subjects (6 females, age: 24 ± 2 y) donned a water‐perfused suit circulating 34 °C water and completed two trials resting supine in a 28.5 ± 0.4 °C environment. The trials involved a 20 min baseline period (26 ± 3% relative humidity (RH)), 60 min while ambient humidity was maintained at 26±3% RH (LOW) or increased to 67 ± 5% RH (HIGH), followed by 60 min passive heat stress (HS) where the water temperature in the suit was incrementally increased to 50 °C. Subjects were able to seek cooling when their neck was thermally uncomfortable by pressing a button. Each button press initiated 30 s of −20 °C fluid perfusing through a custom‐made device secured against the skin on the dorsal neck. Mean skin (Tskin) and core (Tcore) temperatures, mean skin wetness (Wskin) and neck device temperature (Tdevice) were measured continuously. Cool‐seeking behaviour was determined from total time receiving cooling (TTcool) and cumulative button presses. Tskin and Tcore increased during HS (P < 0.01) but were not different between conditions (P ≥ 0.11). Wskin was elevated in HIGH vs. LOW during HS (60 min: by + 0.06 ± 0.07 a.u., P ≤ 0.04). Tdevice was lower in HIGH vs. LOW at 40–50 min of HS (P ≤ 0.01). TTcool was greater for HIGH (330 ± 172 s) vs. LOW (225 ± 167 s, P < 0.01), while the number of cumulative button presses was greater from 40–60 min in HS for HIGH vs. LOW (P ≤ 0.04). Increased skin wetness amplifies the engagement in cool‐seeking behaviour during passive heat stress. Key points: Skin wetness occurring secondary to the build‐up of sweat on the skin provokes thermal discomfort, the precursor to engaging in cool‐seeking behaviour.Associative evidence indicates that skin wetness stimulates cool‐seeking behaviour to a greater extent than increases in core and mean skin temperatures.The independent contribution of skin wetness to cool‐seeking behaviour during heat stress has never been established.We demonstrate that skin wetness augments cool‐seeking behaviour during passive heat stress independently of differential increases in skin temperature and core temperature.We also identify that perceptions of skin wetness were not elevated despite increases in actual skin wetness.These data support the proposition that afferent signalling from skin wetness enhances the desire to engage in cool‐seeking behaviour during passive heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tropical cyclone (TC) secondary eyewall ( SE) is an important aspect of TC intensity and structure forecast, because it largely affects the horizontal scale of destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Hence, it is important to understand the possible factors that influence the structure and size of SE. Idealized simulations suggest that the environmental humidity is one of the key factors. It is favorable for TC to establish a SE in a moist environment. Furthermore, the SE is likely to be located at a larger radius, thereby leads to a wider moat area. Consequently, the structure of SE would affect TC intensity change during the eyewall replacement cycle. This study strongly motivates further researches with respect to how the environmental conditions influence the storm dynamics and thermodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support the decision as to whether erythematous patch test reactions to allergens are irritant or allergic, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, 0·5% in water) has been added to the standard patch tests since July 1996 in the Dortmund Department of Dermatology. Data on 1600 patients patch tested up until June 2001, as well as standardized data on ambient temperature and humidity obtained by the German Meteorological Service, were included in a logistic regression analysis taking age, sex and atopy as potential confounders into account. The pattern of association was heterogeneous: while doubtful reactions to nickel sulfate were significantly associated with dry/cold weather conditions, but not with SLS reactivity, the opposite was observed for lanolin alcohol, benzocaine and Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru). Doubtful reactions to other allergens, namely formaldehyde, fragrance mix or p-phenylenediamine, were associated with both factors. For several other allergens of the standard series, no distinct, significant pattern could be discerned. In conclusion, meteorological conditions and SLS reactivity independently contribute information on individual irritability at the time of patch testing, and both should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]