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Abstract: Thermochromic films of VO2 were deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering on stainless steel substrate. Complex refractive indexes of VO2 were determined by ellipsometric spectroscopy (0.35–16.5μm) for different film thicknesses. Optical simulations were performed to model the spectral reflectance of the film/substrate system for a film thickness of 100nm and 200nm and to monitor the optical contrast of the thermochromic layers by comparing the spectral reflectance at 25°C and 100°C. The good agreement observed between experimental and theoretical spectra demonstrates the adequacy of the model for predicting the optical properties of the samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Good blood glucose control is important to reduce the risk of adverse effects on mothers and their offspring in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This review examined the impact of using digital health interventions on reported glycaemic control among pregnant women with GDM and its impact on maternal and foetal outcomes. Seven databases were searched from database inception to October 31st, 2021 for randomised controlled trials that examined digital health interventions to provide services remotely for women with GDM. Two authors independently screened and assessed the studies for eligibility for inclusion. Risk of bias was independently assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Studies were pooled using random effects model and presented as risk ratio or mean difference with 95% confidence intervals. Quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE framework. Twenty-eight randomised controlled trials that examined digital health interventions in 3,228 pregnant women with GDM were included. Moderate certainty of evidence showed that digital health interventions improved glycaemic control among pregnant women, with lower fasting plasma glucose (mean difference -0.33 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.59 to -0.07), 2-hour post-prandial glucose (-0.49 mmol/L; -0.83 to -0.15) and HbA1c (-0.36%; -0.65 to -0.07). Among those randomised to digital health interventions, there was a lower need for caesarean delivery (Relative risk: 0.81; 0.69 to 0.95; high certainty) and foetal macrosomia (0.67; 0.48 to 0.95; high certainty). Other maternal and foetal outcomes were not significantly different between both groups. Moderate to high certainty evidence support the use of digital health interventions, as these appear to improve glycaemic control and reduce the need for caesarean delivery. However, more robust evidence is needed before it can be offered as a choice to supplement or replace clinic follow up. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO: CRD42016043009., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2022 Leblalta et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Following their successful utilization as novel bioanodes in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) were tested in the present investigation, as promising cathodes to reduce electrons coming from oxidation of organic matter in the anode compartment, in the presence of oxygen used as successful oxidant. Therefore, the LDH samples Ni 3 Al-LDH with the ionic ratio Ni 2+ /Al 3+ equal to 3, were synthesized and added by adsorption to Carbon Felt (CF) fibres. They were then stored separately in three electrolyte solutions KCl, NiCl 2 and AlCl 3 used as catholytes in the MFCs. Effects of the active cationic sites located inside the Ni 3 Al-LDH on these electrolytes, were discussed in terms of energies produced by these MFCs. The structure and morphology of the synthesized LDH, were studied by using the analytical techniques XRD, FTIRS and SEM, while the electrode performances of the LDH-electrodes were investigated with the electrochemical methods CV and EIS. It was revealed that the CF modified with Ni 3 Al-LDH cathode and conditioned in the NiCl 2 electrolyte solution yielded the highest energy harvesting for the MFC (i.e. 3.2 µW/cm 2 ). This power density output was similar to previous clean one-compartment MFC. However, it was less expensive than an Enzymatic Fuel Cell (45 µW/cm 2 ), making in evidence the highest cost of the material. Thus, by taking into account these encouraging findings, the low cost materials used in MFCs held great promise for practical application in electrochemical power devices and therefore fruit waste treatment. Abbreviations: ACFC: Air Cathode Fuel Cell; ADEFC: Alkaline Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell; AFC: Alcaline Fuel Cell; BET: Brunauer-Emmett-Teller; BFC: Biological Fuel Cell; CF: Carbon Felt; CV: Cyclic Voltammetry; DGFC: Direct Glucose Fuel Cell; DMFC: Direct Methanol Fuel Cell; EFC: Enzymatic Fuel Cell; EIS: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy; FC: Fuel Cell; FTIR: Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy; LDH: Layered Double Hydroxide; MEC: Microbial Electrolysis Cell; MFC: Microbial Fuel Cell; Mg-Al- CO 3 2 -LDH: Layered Double Hydroxide Magnesium-Aluminium-Carbonate; Ni-Al-LDH: Layered Double Hydroxide Nickel-Aluminium; OCP: Open Circuit Potential; SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope; TG/DTA: ThermoGravimetric and Differential Thermal Analysis; XRD: X-Ray Diffraction.

Objective: An electro-active biofilm of Fruit Peeling (FP) leachate was formed onto the Carbon Felt (CF) bio-anode in a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), after functioning for a long time. The electro active-biofilm thus formed was then scratched by ultrasound and re-inoculated in a new leachate to be transplanted onto the bio-anode. This procedure allowed the microbial electron charge transfer and therefore the enhancement of the bio-energy production of the fuel cell., Results: By using the repetitive mechanical biofilm removal, re-suspension and electrochemically facilitated biofilm formation, the voltage was substantially increased. In effect, the voltage of the 1st G of biofilm, rose gradually and reached its maximum value of 65 mV after 10 days. Whilst the 2nd generation allowed to obtain the maximum voltage 276 mV and without any lag time. The DCO abatement using the 1st G biofilm was 68% greater than the 3rd G 26%. Besides, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterization and cyclic voltammetry of bio-anode with 2nd G biofilm confirmed the ability of electro-active biofilm formation on a new support. The biofilm transplanted showed thus greater kinetic performance, with reduced lag time demonstrating the interest of the selection that took place during the formation of successive biofilms., Conclusions: Despite the transplantation of the electro-active biofilm onto the bio-anode, the MFC still produced relatively lower power output. Nevertheless, it has been tested successfully for monitoring and detecting the oxidation of sodium acetate substrate in the very wide concentration range 0.0025-35 g/l.