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A three-dimensional structure has garnered significant interest as a potential material for ultradurable and recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Leveraging the superior chemical and physical stability, together with the extensive surface area of the 3D copper foam (CF), CuO nanorods were grown within the CF to increase the surface-active area and photocatalytic properties. CF@CuO-Ag was effectively fabricated to boost the SERS performance through the deposition of Ag nanostructures onto the surfaces of CuO nanorods. The CF@CuO-Ag substrate exhibited exceptional sensitivity, detecting Rhodamine-6G (R6G) at concentrations as low as 10 ρM and successfully analyzing actual human urine samples. The substrate demonstrated remarkable recyclability, maintaining SERS efficiency after three cycles of UV cleaning for both R6G and urine samples. Furthermore, it has shown exceptional physical stability, enduring abrasion from sandpaper, and preserved surface integrity after 25 days of exposure to air. The remarkable sensitivity and stability of the CF@CuO-Ag substrate render it a promising choice for the rapid on-site detection of fungicides and antibiotics in soil and future disease monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a strategy of in situ 3D hierarchical porous HKUST-1/cellulose/chitosan (CSGA/HKUST-1) composite aerogels were synthesized using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as a cross-linking agent. The effect of EGDE on CSGA/HKUST-1 and the adsorption of tetracycline (TC) was investigated: the composite aerogel (CSGA) was produced by the ring-opening reaction of the epoxy group of EGDE in alkaline solution. The chemical structure of CSGA/HKUST-1 composite aerogel was characterized by FT-IR, XRD and XPS.49.33 % mass loading of CSGA1/HKUST-1 was achieved and N2 adsorption and desorption experiment showed the BET specific surface area reached 694.514 m2 g−1. SEM observed the CSGA/HKUST-1 composite aerogel pores were filled with a large number of octahedral HKUST-1 crystal particles. CSGA/HKUST-1 composite aerogel has excellent tetracycline adsorption capacity (285.7 mg g−1), and the removal efficiency remained at 92.7 % after five cycles of adsorption–desorption. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model adsorption mechanism was successfully concluded. This study can provide ideas for in situ synthesis of MOFs on 3D composite aerogel to prepare adsorption materials, improve the mass loading rate of MOFs and prevent MOFs from falling off, etc., and enrich the application of MOFs materials in the treatment of antibiotic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of peptide drugs has become facile with the use of supports that enable easy separation of the growing peptide. Peptide synthesis on insoluble supports typically employs excess reagents to enhance reaction efficiency and faces challenges during intramolecular cyclization. A non‐crosslinked soluble polystyrene support is reported herein that improves cyclization efficiency on the support by using spacers. The support efficiency is illustrated by synthesizing octreotide drug in a scalable manner by on‐support cyclization. The methodology drastically reduces the reagent waste, raw‐material cost, and solvent requirement. The support can also be recovered and re‐used up to 3 times making this a very sustainable method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbubbles are widely used for biomedical applications, ranging from imagery to therapy. In these applications, microbubbles can be functionalized to allow targeted drug delivery or imaging of the human body. However, functionalization of the microbubbles is quite difficult, due to the unstable nature of the gas/liquid interface. In this paper, we describe a simple protocol for rapid functionalization of microbubbles and show how to use them inside a microfluidic chip to develop a novel type of biosensor. The microbubbles are functionalized with biochemical ligand directly at their generation inside the microfluidic chip using a DSPE-PEG-Biotin phospholipid. The microbubbles are then organized inside a chamber before injecting the fluid with the bioanalyte of interest through the static bubbles network. In this proof-of-concept demonstration, we use streptavidin as the bioanalyte of interest. Both functionalization and capture are assessed using fluorescent microscopy thanks to fluorescent labeled chemicals. The main advantages of the proposed technique compared to classical ligand based biosensor using solid surface is its ability to rapidly regenerate the functionalized surface, with the complete functionalization/capture/measurement cycle taking less than 10 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Replacing single‐use operating theatre equipment with reusables might be one strategy for reducing the carbon footprint of operating theatres. However, in Australia, where the energy mix is predominantly fossil‐fuel‐based, the re‐sterilization of reusables may increase the carbon footprint. We analyzed the financial and environmental impacts of introducing reusable operating theatre light handles in two NSW hospitals.The effects on cost, waste, and carbon footprint of replacing disposable light handle covers with reusable handles in each hospital were analyzed over 12 months using procurement, waste and sterilization data, and life cycle assessment.Energy requirement for sterilization of reusable handles, increasing alongside weight of the handle, resulted in higher carbon footprint than using disposable covers. At one hospital, using a heavy handle increased carbon emissions sixfold, while the cost of handle sterilization exceeded the cost of disposable covers, resulting in 11% higher cost per use. At the other hospital, using a lighter handle increased carbon emissions by 40% per use, while sterilization cost was less than the cost of disposable covers, resulting in 14.8% lower cost per use. Scenario modelling indicated that sterilizing handles as part of a hollowware set rather than as individual items would significantly reduce cost and carbon footprint. At both hospitals, associated clinical waste was essentially eliminated.Judicious replacement of disposable covers with lightweight yet durable reusable handles can reduce costs, but increases carbon footprint in the current Australian energy context. Adopting predominantly renewable energy and more efficient sterilization practice would mitigate this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell culture is a cornerstone of in vitro biological research. Whilst glassware was once commonplace in tissue culture facilities, in recent decades laboratories have moved towards a heavy reliance on single use plastics for routine procedures. Single use plastics allow for accessible, sterile, and often affordable equipment that comes at a high environmental cost. We developed a glassware preparation and cleaning process that allowed the comparison of "traditional" plastic-heavy, and adapted "sustainable," cell culture practices, to empirically compare the sterility, viability, and proliferative capacity of cells cultured with differing techniques, by observing IL-6 production, morphology, and proliferation rate of cultured human pulmonary fibroblast cells. During which, we calculated the carbon footprint of traditional versus sustainable methods. We additionally endeavored to provide a realistic overview of the steps required to transition to more sustainable cell culture practices and make suggestions to ease the cost, labor, and time required to uptake similar practices in other laboratories. Cells cultured using reusable glassware did not show signs of contamination or stress compared to cells grown solely with plasticware, and glassware baked at 180°C for 120 min was sufficiently decontaminated and depyrogenated for culturing these cells. An individual researcher adopting the same methodology could reduce their carbon footprint by 105.92 kg of Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) whilst also saving money (£408.78) over a 10-year period. We predict that these benefits would be greater if more researchers were to uptake these adapted practices. We intend for this paper to reassure researchers that viable, sterile, and sustainable routine cell culture can be achieved with little upfront cost to the researcher, with the prospective benefit of greatly reducing the cost to the environment. We additionally hope that increased uptake, and thus demand of more sustainable practices, encourages suppliers, policy makers, and funding bodies to make sustainable practices more accessible to individual researchers and institutions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a reprocessible, reusable, self-healing, and form-switching polymeric adsorbent for remediating fluorinated pollutants in water. The copolymer hydrogel is designed to contain fluorophilic segments and cationic segments to induce strong binding with perfluorinated pollutants. The sorption performance reveals rapid and quantitative removal of these pollutants, driven by the synergistic effect of fluorophilic and electrostatic interaction. Importantly, a disulfide-containing dynamic crosslinker plays a crucial role in imparting multifunctionality. This enables self-healing by the restoration of crosslinks at the cut surfaces by disulfide exchange reactions and allows for the repeated use of the adsorbent via multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. Furthermore, the adsorbent is reprocessible by cleaving the crosslinks to afford linear copolymers, which can be repolymerized into a hydrogel network on demand. Also, form-switching capability is showcased through the aqueous self-assembly of linear copolymers into a fluorinated micelle, serving as another form of adsorbent for pollutant removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesives play an important role in modern society's production and daily life. Developing robust and sustainable adhesives remains a great challenge. Here we report a sustainable epoxy-vitrimer adhesive with high adhesive strength (about 10 MPa) and reusability (82% strength after 3 times). This adhesive can be fabricated from commercially available products through a straightforward hot-pressing method without the need of solvents. The adhesive process is also simple, requiring only 30 min at 180 °C. In addition, the vitrimer adhesive has the advantages of both erasability for reuse and excellent water resistance. This work provides a facile strategy to fabricate high-strength adhesive that ensures reusability, recyclability, low cost of raw materials, and simple processing technology. Simultaneously, it expands the range of potential applications for epoxy vitrimers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we introduce a novel porous metal–organic framework named Co2(bbda)2(DMF)2·5H2O, or MOF‐UoR‐1, synthesized via hydrothermal techniques employing a unique Schiff base ligand. The framework underwent comprehensive characterization, confirming its microporous nature through gas‐sorption measurements. MOF‐UoR‐1 demonstrated remarkable efficacy as a catalyst for the one‐step synthesis of pyrimidine analogs. Structural validation of the synthesized pyrimidines was accomplished via 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. Through systematic experimentation, the optimal catalyst dosage (40 mg) was determined, showcasing its effectiveness across various aldehydes, 1,3‐carbonyl compounds, and urea substrates. Noteworthy is the broad applicability of this environmentally friendly protocol, which offers advantages such as high yields (96%), rapid reaction times (90 min), straightforward product isolation, and product purity without necessitating column chromatography. Furthermore, the catalytic integrity of the framework remained intact, enabling its reuse without compromising performance. This research presents a promising approach for the synthesis of pyrimidine derivatives, with significant implications for sustainable and efficient chemical synthesis methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single step surfactant assisted sol–gel technique was adapted to synthesize mesoporous tungstated zirconia (m-WZ). Amorphous WZs, with high surface area, were synthesized after calcination of as-synthesized materials at 550 °C for 6 h. These materials were well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. Textural properties were established from N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Pyridine adsorbed FTIR and NH3-TPD revealed reasonable amount of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites of m-WZs. m-WZs exhibited outstanding catalytic activities toward solvent free Knoevenagel condensation reaction of different aromatic aldehydes with malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate at room temperature. The developed catalysts were also employed to synthesize different industrially important fine chemicals. These catalysts had longer reusability and no visible drops were observed in catalytic activity even after several runs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meglumine, an amino sugar alcohol compound, has recently emerged as a promising catalyst in various organic transformations due to its unique properties. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of meglumine catalyst in organic synthesis, highlighting their efficiency, versatility, and mechanistic insights. Key examples of reactions catalyzed by meglumine, including aldol condensation, Michael addition, Mannich reaction, and other one-pot multicomponent condensation reaction are discussed along with mechanistic pathways and synthetic strategies. Additionally, recent advancements and future perspectives in the field are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor clinical waste management and its effect on the environment is an increasingly recognised concern for global healthcare systems. Approximately two thirds of waste produced in healthcare is from the operating theatre. In the Republic of Ireland, an estimated 580,977 tonnes of hazardous waste was produced in 2019. The cost of incineration of this hazardous waste is approximately €2,125 per tonne and €935 per tonne for sterilisation. Pollution from incineration is substantial and harmful. A literature review was performed on the topic of hospital waste management, specifically looking at the Republic of Ireland. A comparison could then be drawn between Ireland, Europe and the United States of America. Observation of our current operating theatre environment and practices were carried out. An increased focus towards sustainability and reusable equipment means that there is potentially a decreased amount of waste for disposal, but an increase in the process of sterilisation. Approximately 66% of healthcare related waste is inappropriately contaminated, meaning that significant savings are possible if correct segregation and recycling were to occur. An increase in the amount of bins, identification labels above bins and education of staff results in an increased likelihood of successful segregation of waste. Clear and concise hospital guidelines of what is considered hazardous versus non-hazardous waste will decrease the amount of inappropriately disposed items. • Operating theatres account for approximately 70% of healthcare waste. • Increased use of reusable materials and equipment in the operating theatre. • The incineration cost of hazardous waste is approximately €2,125 per tonne. • Sterilisation cost of hazardous material is approximately €935 per tonne. • Increased labels and education of staff can reduce inappropriate waste disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significant impact of stress on health necessitates accurate assessment methods, where traditional questionnaires lack reliability and objectivity. Current advancements like wearables with electrocardiogram (ECG) and galvanic skin response (GSR) sensors face accuracy and artifact challenges. Molecular biosensors detecting cortisol, a critical stress hormone, present a promising solution. However, existing cortisol assays, requiring saliva, urine, or blood, are complex, expensive, and unsuitable for continuous monitoring. Our study introduces a passive, molecularly imprinted polymer-radio-frequency (MIP-RF) wearable sensing system for real-time, non-invasive sweat cortisol assessment. This system is wireless, flexible, battery-free, reusable, environmentally stable, and designed for long-term monitoring, using an inductance-capacitance transducer. The transducer translates cortisol concentrations into resonant frequency shifts with high sensitivity (∼ 160 kHz/(log (µM))) across a physiological range of 0.025–1 µM. Integrated with near-field communication (NFC) for wireless and battery-free operation, and three-dimensional (3D)-printed microfluidic channel for in-situ sweat collection, it enables daily activity cortisol level tracking. Validation of cortisol circadian rhythm through morning and evening measurements demonstrates its effectiveness in tracking and monitoring sweat cortisol levels. A 28-day stability test and the use of cost-effective 3D nanomaterials printing enhance its economic viability and reusability. This innovation paves the way for a new era in realistic, on-demand health monitoring outside the laboratory, leveraging wearable technology for molecular stress biomarker detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium phthalimide (PPI) and Potassium phthalimide-N-oxyl (POPINO) have emerged as a versatile and efficient catalyst in various organic synthesis reactions, playing a crucial role in the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly synthetic methodologies. This review highlights the catalytic applications of PPI and POPINO in diverse transformations, showcasing its potential as a valuable tool in modern organic synthesis. The multifaceted reactivity of PPI and POPINO has been explored in reactions such as nucleophilic substitutions, condensations, cycloadditions, and oxidation processes, making it an attractive catalyst for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

500 billion disposable cups are consumed every year and contribute to polluting the natural environment. Reusable cups offer a reasonable alternative, especially in work or study places with efficient and sustainable washing facilities. In one coffee bar at a university building, disposable cups were completely banished and a reusable polypropylene cup, the so-called "Billie Cup", was introduced together with automated deposit and washing facilities. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to measure financial differences, waste reduction, and customer opinion. After introduction of the Billie Cup, we reduced approximately 2.5 kg of waste per week and did not report significant changes in weekly sales [median: 336 (interquartile range: 291-359) vs. 337 (297-349) drinks, respectively, P=1.000] or revenue [578 (492-612) vs. 576 (492-586) euro, respectively, P=0.833]. Furthermore, we reported significantly higher numbers of refilling a cup with a median of 21 (16-25) vs. 43 (38-59) drinks per week, respectively, P=0.017. Resulting from our questionnaires, we found that all respondents believed that disposable cups produce unnecessary waste on campus. Our pilot study demonstrates that a reusable coffee cup system along with banishing all disposable cups can be successfully implemented without decreasing monthly revenue or sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student restaurants at Chalmers University have adopted take-away lunch boxes as a convenient dining option for students with disposable single-use containers being the norm. However, there is a growing interest in more sustainable, reusable alternatives. This study conducted a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess the potential environmental and economic impacts of using reusable lunch boxes in comparison to disposable ones, considering 18 environmental impact categories. The functional unit chosen for evaluation was the provision of takeaway lunches to Chalmers students over the course of a year. The findings revealed that reusable boxes with 20 uses outperformed their disposable counterparts in many environmental impacts, reducing the climate change impact by 59%. However, water and energy consumption were higher for the reusable option by 99% and 62% respectively, primarily due to the cleaning process. From an economic perspective, reusable boxes proved to be 3.3% more costly than disposable ones. In conclusion, this study highlights the benefits of reusable solutions, showing reductions in various environmental footprints but presenting slightly higher economic footprints over 20 uses. However, as the number of uses increases, the advantages also increase, leading to recommendations for better management of the lunch boxes to maximize their reusable potential.

Cell culture is a cornerstone of in vitro biological research. Whilst glassware was once commonplace in tissue culture facilities, in recent decades laboratories have moved towards a heavy reliance on single use plastics for routine procedures. Single use plastics allow for accessible, sterile, and often affordable equipment that comes at a high environmental cost. We developed a glassware preparation and cleaning process that allowed the comparison of “traditional” plastic-heavy, and adapted “sustainable,” cell culture practices, to empirically compare the sterility, viability, and proliferative capacity of cells cultured with differing techniques, by observing IL-6 production, morphology, and proliferation rate of cultured human pulmonary fibroblast cells. During which, we calculated the carbon footprint of traditional versus sustainable methods. We additionally endeavored to provide a realistic overview of the steps required to transition to more sustainable cell culture practices and make suggestions to ease the cost, labor, and time required to uptake similar practices in other laboratories. Cells cultured using reusable glassware did not show signs of contamination or stress compared to cells grown solely with plasticware, and glassware baked at 180°C for 120 min was sufficiently decontaminated and depyrogenated for culturing these cells. An individual researcher adopting the same methodology could reduce their carbon footprint by 105.92 kg of Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) whilst also saving money (£408.78) over a 10-year period. We predict that these benefits would be greater if more researchers were to uptake these adapted practices. We intend for this paper to reassure researchers that viable, sterile, and sustainable routine cell culture can be achieved with little upfront cost to the researcher, with the prospective benefit of greatly reducing the cost to the environment. We additionally hope that increased uptake, and thus demand of more sustainable practices, encourages suppliers, policy makers, and funding bodies to make sustainable practices more accessible to individual researchers and institutions worldwide.

Abstract Seesaw circuits are essential for molecular computing and biosensing. However, a notable limitation of seesaw circuits lies in the irreversible depletion of components, precluding the attainment of system recovery and rendering nucleic acid circuits non-reusable. We developed a brand-new method for creating controllable and reusable seesaw circuits. By using the nicking endonucleases Nt.BbvCI and Nt.Alwi, we removed “functional components” while keeping the “skeletal components” for recurrent usage. T-inputs were introduced, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of AND logic from 2.68 to 11.33 and demonstrating compatibility. We identified the logic switching feature and verified that it does not impair circuit performance. We also built intricate logic circuits, such as OR-AND gate, to demonstrate the versatility of our methodology. This controllable reusability extends the applications of nanotechnology and bioengineering, enhancing the practicality and efficiency of these circuits across various domains.

Abstract A fast‐curing epoxy with improved mechanical properties, self‐healing and re‐processability was designed using a tailored Schiff based motif that offered dual covalent adaptable network (CAN) in epoxy. The designer motif is a dynamic hardener with both acetal linkage and a Schiff base motif in the same molecule which allowed us to gain a mechanistic insight into the evolving transient network in epoxy vitrimers. The dynamic hardener besides offering a cross‐linked network in epoxy can facilitate rapid exchange reactions, resulting in a material with high tensile strength (74 MPa), high glass transition temperature (121°C), and that can be re‐purposed through solvent induced degradation. The proposed dynamic curing agent is suitable to be employed as a coating material on substrates to ensure excellent self‐healing and re‐processability ensuring chemical recyclability. Few carbon fiber‐based laminates were prepared using the epoxy vitrimer and the recovery of CF post laminate preparation clearly demonstrates the closed‐loop circularity in epoxy vitrimers. Highlights A unique dynamic curing agent is designed consisting of an aldehyde (salicylaldehyde) and an amine and acetal containing species (amino acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal). It facilitates imine and acetal exchange that can bond at temperatures 105°C as evidenced by the vitrimer transition temperature. Epoxies show high tensile strength (74 MPa), exceptional Tg (121°C), fast stress relaxation and an activation energy of 96.2 KJ/mol. The imine‐acetal exchange system rendered the epoxies re‐processable, malleable and re‐usable.

Aim Design Methods Results Conclusion Impact Patient or Public Contribution To demonstrate and reflect upon the methodological lessons by which healthcare organizations can address questions of environmental sustainability related to single‐use healthcare materials.A cross‐sectional multi‐centre study in hospitals was performed, followed by an exploratory analysis of the sustainability of commonly used healthcare materials.A hospital survey was conducted to collect the procurement data for single‐use medical materials. Based on consumption and cost, five single‐use medical materials with sustainable alternatives were selected using different reuse strategies. Single‐use and reusable materials were assessed through an exploratory literature review and document study based on four parameters: environmental sustainability, safety, cost and efficiency.A pragmatic method emerged from this study, providing healthcare facilities with tools to select environmentally sustainable alternatives to replace single‐use options. First, an inventory of single‐use medical materials consumed was collected. Next, single‐use materials were prioritized for further study based on criteria such as cost, volume of the material, feasibility and input of stakeholders. We then analysed the prioritized single‐use materials and their alternatives based on life cycle assessments or available information on their different life stages. Finally, we assessed safety, costs and efficiency related to the process following the use of the medical material.This pragmatic method can guide healthcare institutions in making the most sustainable choices of medical materials and achieving sustainability goals within their institutions and nationwide.Patient care involves a large consumption of single‐use medical materials with considerable environmental impact. A pragmatic method was developed to guide healthcare institutions in making the most sustainable choices regarding the use of single‐use healthcare materials. Healthcare institutions, ideally represented by a green team including nurses and other relevant professionals, can use this method to reduce the use of single‐use medical materials, thereby yielding positive outcomes for the entire population.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductive hydrogel is considered a promising wearable sensor material. Developing flexible conductive hydrogel sensors with stretchability, adhesion, and stability remains challenging. In this study, a transparent, self‐adhesive, antifreeze, anti‐UV, stretchable, conductive, and reusable hydrogel with polyacrylamide/glycerol/gelatin/tannic acid/Fe3+ (PGGT‐Fe3+) structure is successfully constructed through a simple one‐pot polymerization method. The PGGT‐Fe3+ hydrogel is composed of dual networks of polyacrylamide and gelatin for organic cross‐linking, using water/glycerol as the dispersion medium, and incorporates a viscous substance: tannic acid, and a conductive substance: metal ions (Fe3+). Due to the introduction of the abundant amino, carboxylic acid, and hydroxyl functional groups on gelatin and tannic acid, the PGGT‐Fe3+ hydrogel exhibits excellent and repeatable adhesion capabilities on various surfaces (including glass, metal, plastic, and pigskin) with maximum adhesion strength of 98 kPa when attached to pigskin. Furthermore, based on the stable conductive network and high conductivity, the hydrogel not only exhibits strain sensitivity, fast response, and stability but also can stably collect epidermal bio signals. In conclusion, this work provides a new approach to the design and development of next‐generation multifunctional conductive hydrogels and opens up vast possibilities for their applications in the flexible electronics field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction on gynaecological examination with metal, plastic and biobased plastic vaginal specula, and to investigate whether patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare system. Design: Cross‐sectional study: population‐based survey. Setting: Gynaecological outpatient clinics in five Dutch hospitals. Population: Patients during general gynaecology consultation hours. Methods: A survey containing two questions about patient demographics, four about comfort and five about sustainability and healthcare was distributed. Main outcome measures: Comfort score (scale 1–10). Secondary outcomes: (1) temperature, size and ease of insertion, (2) willingness to compromise for a more sustainable healthcare system. Results: In all, 196 patients completed the survey. Biobased plastic vaginal specula scored significantly higher on comfort than the metal ones (mean 8.03 ± 1.65 versus 7.26 ± 1.51 respectively; P < 0.001). The biobased plastic vaginal speculum is significantly the most comfortable on temperature, whereas the metal speculum is the least comfortable (P < 0.007). Most patients are willing to compromise on comfort or are open to the reuse of disposables to contribute to a more sustainable healthcare. The majority of patients (77%) urge healthcare organisations to combat climate change. Conclusions: There is a small but statistically significant difference in favour of a biobased plastic speculum regarding comfort score, although it might be questioned whether this is clinically relevant. Furthermore, patients are willing to compromise on comfort for a more sustainable healthcare, which should be a contributing factor in speculum selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is an absence of data on the environmental impact of single-use flexible cystoscopes. We wanted to review the existing literature about carbon footprint of flexible cystoscopy and analyze the environmental impact of the Isiris® (Coloplast©) single-use flexible cystoscope compared to reusable flexible cystoscopes. Methods: First, a systematic review on single-use and reusable cystoscope carbon footprint was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Second, carbon footprints of Isiris single-use flexible cystoscope and reusable cystoscope were analyzed and compared. Life cycle of the single-use flexible cystoscope was divided in three steps: manufacturing, sterilization, and disposal. For the reusable cystoscope, several steps were considered to estimate the carbon footprint over the life cycle: manufacturing, washing/sterilization, repackaging, repair, and disposal. For each step, the carbon footprint values were collected and adapted from previous comparable published data on flexible ureteroscope. Results: The systematic literature review evidenced total carbon emissions within a range of 2.06 to 2.41 kg carbon dioxide (CO2) per each use of single-use flexible cystoscope compared to a wide range of 0.53 to 4.23 kg CO2 per each case of reusable flexible cystoscope. The carbon footprint comparative analysis between Isiris single-use flexible cystoscope and reusable cystoscope concluded in favor of the single-use cystoscope. Based on our calculation, the total carbon emissions for a reusable flexible cystoscope could be refined to an estimated range of 2.40 to 3.99 kg CO2 per case, depending on the endoscopic activity of the unit, and to 1.76 kg CO2 per case for Isiris single-use cystoscope. Conclusion: The results and our systematic literature review demonstrated disparate results depending on the calculation method used for carbon footprint analysis. However, the results tend rather toward a lower environmental impact of single-use devices. In comparison to a reusable flexible cystoscope, Isiris compared favorably in terms of carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Disposable (single-use) flexible ureteroscopes are alternatives to reusable ureteroscopes. With their superior surgical efficacy and safety in the presence of upper urinary calculi, disposable ureteroscopes aim to overcome the main limitations of conventional reusable ureteroscopes. However, studies on the performance of the most recently developed models of single-use flexible ureteroscopes are scarce. This study aimed to compare the in vitro performance of several recently introduced, single-use, flexible ureteroscopes. Methods: Five disposable flexible ureteroscopes were tested in vitro to evaluate their mechanical and optical characteristics. To this end, their degrees of deflection, irrigation flow rates, and image qualities were investigated. The models examined were Innovex US31-B12, OTU-100RR, Redpine RP-U-C12, Sciavita SUV-2A-B, and Seplou URS3016E. Their performance was also compared with that of a reusable flexible ureteroscope, Olympus URV-F. Results: The OTU device had the highest degrees of deflection and the smallest loop diameter of the disposable ureteroscopes. The single-use ureteroscopes had identical image resolutions at a distance of 1 cm. The Innovex and Redpine devices had the best color representation. Conclusions: Of the tested disposable ureteroscopes, the OTU device had the best mechanical attributes, given its small loop diameter, high deflection angles, and low irrigation flow loss. As to their optical properties, the resolutions of all 5 single-use models were identical at an image distance of 1 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fast‐curing epoxy with improved mechanical properties, self‐healing and re‐processability was designed using a tailored Schiff based motif that offered dual covalent adaptable network (CAN) in epoxy. The designer motif is a dynamic hardener with both acetal linkage and a Schiff base motif in the same molecule which allowed us to gain a mechanistic insight into the evolving transient network in epoxy vitrimers. The dynamic hardener besides offering a cross‐linked network in epoxy can facilitate rapid exchange reactions, resulting in a material with high tensile strength (74 MPa), high glass transition temperature (121°C), and that can be re‐purposed through solvent induced degradation. The proposed dynamic curing agent is suitable to be employed as a coating material on substrates to ensure excellent self‐healing and re‐processability ensuring chemical recyclability. Few carbon fiber‐based laminates were prepared using the epoxy vitrimer and the recovery of CF post laminate preparation clearly demonstrates the closed‐loop circularity in epoxy vitrimers. Highlights: A unique dynamic curing agent is designed consisting of an aldehyde (salicylaldehyde) and an amine and acetal containing species (amino acetaldehyde dimethyl acetal).It facilitates imine and acetal exchange that can bond at temperatures <60°C and break at temperatures >105°C as evidenced by the vitrimer transition temperature.Epoxies show high tensile strength (74 MPa), exceptional Tg (121°C), fast stress relaxation and an activation energy of 96.2 KJ/mol.The imine‐acetal exchange system rendered the epoxies re‐processable, malleable and re‐usable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Hole‐transporting layer‐free mesoporous carbon (mC) architectures represent a printable, low‐cost, and stable solution for the future commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). CsPbI3 perovskite is attracting attention for its inorganic structure, which yields higher structural stability compared to hybrid counterparts and allows reversibility of its photoactive phase. Here the photovoltaic performance of large‐area (144 mm2) devices infiltrated with CsPbI3:EuCl3 is systematically evaluated, using AVA‐MAPbI3 mC‐PSCs as a reference. Measured and simulated J–V curves acquired at various scan rates show a significantly reduced hysteresis for Eu‐doped CsPbI3 with respect to AVA‐MAPbI3 mC‐PSCs. The synergic comparison between experiments and simulations reveals the complex interplay between ionic and electronic charges in the two mC‐PSCs, supporting the argument that cation migration is suppressed in CsPbI3:EuCl3. This also agrees with steady‐state photoconversion efficiency measured and simulated at fixed bias, which is constant over time in CsPbI3:EuCl3, contrary to what occurs in AVA‐MAPbI3 where a decay arises from enhanced ionic migration. In addition, CsPbI3:EuCl3 mC‐PSCs maintain their initial efficiency up to 250 h at 55 °C under continuous illumination during maximum power point tracking measurements. The possibility of reusing the CsPbI3:EuCl3 mC‐PSCs multiple times is demonstrated, pointing out the superiority of this inorganic perovskite in terms of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-friendly and effective separation of photocatalytic nanoparticles from the reaction mixture is crucial to facilitate their repeated use in photocatalysis. The development of magnetic/semiconductor nanocomposites with high catalytic performance and easy separation is an efficient strategy for wastewater treatments. In this study, we explore the potential of combination of magnetic (CoFe2O4) and semiconductor (ZnS) synthesized via a green approach using Moringa oleifera leaf extract as magnetically separable photocatalysts for dye degradation. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of the cubic spinel ferrite phase of CoFe2O4 and the cubic zinc blend phase of ZnS within the nanocomposites. The micrographs illustrated nearly spherical nanoparticles with average particle sizes of 12 nm for CoFe2O4 and 26 nm for CoFe2O4/ZnS, respectively. The presence of SO suggested the incorporation of ZnS on the surface of CoFe2O4/ZnS nanocomposites. The UV–visible spectra revealed an increase in the band gap energy from 3.7 to 4.5 eV with increasing ZnS concentrations. Magnetic properties analysis signified that the CoFe2O4/ZnS nanocomposites exhibited ferromagnetic characteristics. The optimal degradation efficiency of photodegradation methylene blue was observed for CoFe2O4/ZnS 50 %, achieving 78.3 % degradation within 80 min with intervals 20 min. The magnetically separable capability allows for the recycling of nanocomposites after three consecutive cycles. Therefore, CoFe2O4/ZnS nanocomposites emerge as promising candidates as separable photocatalysts for the removal of organic pollutants in environments.

Abstract The open‐source programming language ‘R' has become a standard tool in the palaeobiologist's toolkit. Its popularity within the palaeobiological community continues to grow, with published articles increasingly citing the usage of R and R packages. However, there are currently a lack of agreed standards for data preparation and available frameworks to support the implementation of such standards. Consequently, data preparation workflows are often unclear and not reproducible, even when code is provided. Moreover, due to a lack of code accessibility and documentation, palaeobiologists are often forced to ‘reinvent the wheel’ to find solutions to issues already solved by other members of the community. Here, we introduce palaeoverse, a community‐driven R package to aid data preparation and exploration for quantitative palaeobiological research. The package is freely available and has three core principles: (1) streamline data preparation and analyses; (2) enhance code readability; and (3) improve reproducibility of results. To develop these aims, we assessed the analytical needs of the broader palaeobiological community using an online survey, in addition to incorporating our own experiences. In this work, we first report the findings of the survey, which shaped the development of the package. Subsequently, we describe and demonstrate the functionality available in palaeoverse and provide usage examples. Finally, we discuss the resources we have made available for the community and our future plans for the broader Palaeoverse project. palaeoverse is a community‐driven R package for palaeobiology, developed with the intention of bringing palaeobiologists together to establish agreed standards for high‐quality quantitative research. The package provides a user‐friendly platform for preparing data for analysis with well‐documented open‐source code to enhance transparency. The functionality available in palaeoverse improves code reproducibility and accessibility, which is beneficial for both the review process and future research.

A convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of benzimidazoles, and benzothiazoles have been developed using recyclable magnetite polydopamine-supported copper nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PDA/CuCl2) under green and mild conditions. This catalytic system enables the one-pot synthesis of benzazoles by employing available, and easy to-handle aldehydes and o-phenylenediamine/o-aminothiophenol. Utilizing sustainable and mild conditions, a variety of functionalized benzazoles has been prepared in nearly quantitative yields (79–97%) within 5–30 min at 40 °C. The method offers advantages such as high yield, short reaction time, use of air as oxidant, ease of workup, avoiding toxic organic solvents, and a simple workup protocol. The catalyst could be recycled and reused up to five times without any loss of significant catalytic activity. The catalyst's great effectiveness can be seen in the fact that the TON reaches 2633–3233 and the TOF reaches 5266–38,800 h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution by particulate matter (PM) in the air including PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10, which are categorized by particle size, is a critical global environmental issue, harming the climate, ecosystems, and human health. Especially, ultrafine dust including PM1.0 and PM2.5 poses significant human health risks. Commercial fabric‐based filters effectively trap PMs but cause high‐pressure drop and limited filter capacity and reusability. Electrospun nanofiber filters address some issues but have low mechanical strength, toxic exposure risks, long fabrication times, and restrained reusability. Herein, a reusable and transparent impaction‐based PM filter using a UV‐curable polymeric stencil with micro apertures is proposed. The polymeric stencil filters achieve high filter efficiency (68–94%), superior filter capacity, and low‐pressure drop (<64 Pa). The polymeric stencil filters can be easily cleaned with water or ethanol and remain stable under extreme temperatures (−196 to 450 °C) with slight shrinkage (0–7%). The polymeric stencil filters can be broadly utilized for not only industrial, indoor, and vehicle filters but also transparent and flexible facial health masks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft pneumatic artificial muscles are a well actuation scheme in soft robotics due to its key features for robotic machines being safe, lightweight, and conformable. In this work, we present a versatile vacuum-powered artificial muscle (VPAM) with manually tunable output motion. We developed an artificial muscle that consists of a stack of air chambers that can use replaceable external reinforcements. Different modes of operation are achieved by assembling different reinforcements that constrain the output motion of the actuator during actuation. We designed replaceable external reinforcements to produce single motions such as twisting, bending, shearing and rotary. We then conducted a deformation and lifting force characterization for these motions. We demonstrated sophisticated motions and reusability of the artificial muscle in two soft machines with different modes of locomotion. Our results show that our VPAM is reusable and versatile producing a variety and sophisticated output motions if needed. This key feature specially benefits unpredicted workspaces that require a soft actuator that can be adjusted for other tasks. Our scheme has the potential to offer new strategies for locomotion in machines for underwater or terrestrial operation, and wearable devices with different modes of operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes of single‐use endoscopes with those of reusable endoscopes to better define their role within urology. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed. All studies comparing the clinical outcomes of participants undergoing urological procedures with single‐use endoscopes to those of participants treated with reusable endoscopes were included. Results are reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. Results: Twenty‐one studies in 3943 participants were identified. Six different single‐use flexible ureteroscopes and two different single‐use flexible cystoscopes were assessed. There were no differences in mean postoperative infection rates (4.0% vs 4.4%; P = 0.87) or overall complication rates (11.5% vs 11.9%; P = 0.88) between single‐use and reusable endoscopes. For patients undergoing flexible ureteroscopy there were no differences in operating time (mean difference −0.05 min; P = 0.96), length of hospital stay (LOS; mean difference 0.06 days; P = 0.18) or stone‐free rate (SFR; 74% vs 74.3%; P = 0.54) between the single‐use and reusable flexible ureteroscope groups. Conclusion: This study is the largest to compare the clinical outcomes of single‐use endoscopes to those of reusable endoscopes within urology, and demonstrated no difference in LOS, complication rate or SFR, with a shorter operating time associated with single‐use flexible cystoscope use. It also highlights that the cost efficiency and environmental impact of single‐use endoscopes is largely dependent on the caseload and reprocessing facilities available within a given institution. Urologists can therefore feel confident that whether they choose to 'use' or to 'reuse' based on the financial and environmental implications, they can do so without negatively impacting patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Epoxies take hours to cure before their properties can be realized and this restricts its use in applications where quick turn‐around time is imperative. Herein, we developed fast curing Epoxies (which cure within 2 h) using Vitrimer chemistries. A unique dynamic curing agent (bio‐based Schiff motif) consisting of an aldehyde (here, cinnamaldehyde) and an amine (here, mussel inspired dopamine) is used to facilitate imine exchange during the curing process and maintains the network integrity‐ a key requirement to achieve excellent structural properties in epoxy based components. By incorporating this covalent adaptable network, various epoxies were designed which can cure within 2 h. The resulting epoxy vitrimers exhibited high tensile strength (68 MPa), exceptionally high Tg (128°C), fast stress relaxation (a relaxation time of 15.2 s at 180°C) and an activation energy of 105 kJ/mol. This associative covalent adaptable network (imine exchange) also rendered the epoxies re‐processable and re‐usable and offers closed‐loop circularity in plastics. The resulting epoxy also exhibited self‐healing property triggered by the exchangeable bonds. The self‐healing behavior of this epoxy was manifested from the surface conductivity measurements wherein the conducting pathway (facilitated by spraying conducting particles on the vitrimer epoxy substrate) was restored post self‐healing in substrates containing epoxy vitrimers. In addition, the epoxies cured using this Schiff based motif dissolves in a specific solvent and can be recovered and re‐purposed. The excellent mechanical properties achieved by retaining the network integrity together with the self‐healing properties offers myriad applications for the designed epoxy cured using bio‐based Schiff motif. Highlights: Developed fast curing Epoxies that cures in 2 h using Vitrimer chemistries.Fully bio‐based hardener was used to realize the network topology.The dynamic exchange reaction results in re‐processability, reusable, recyclable and self‐healable that is not possible in the case of traditional epoxy.It exhibited high tensile strength, exceptional Tg, fast stress relaxation and an activation energy of 105 KJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft pneumatic artificial muscles are a well actuation scheme in soft robotics due to its key features for robotic machines being safe, lightweight, and conformable. In this work, we present a versatile vacuum-powered artificial muscle (VPAM) with manually tunable output motion. We developed an artificial muscle that consists of a stack of air chambers that can use replaceable external reinforcements. Different modes of operation are achieved by assembling different reinforcements that constrain the output motion of the actuator during actuation. We designed replaceable external reinforcements to produce single motions such as twisting, bending, shearing and rotary. We then conducted a deformation and lifting force characterization for these motions. We demonstrated sophisticated motions and reusability of the artificial muscle in two soft machines with different modes of locomotion. Our results show that our VPAM is reusable and versatile producing a variety and sophisticated output motions if needed. This key feature specially benefits unpredicted workspaces that require a soft actuator that can be adjusted for other tasks. Our scheme has the potential to offer new strategies for locomotion in machines for underwater or terrestrial operation, and wearable devices with different modes of operation.