In ancient buildings, timber members could need specific on-site interventions, including reinforcement or repair, sometimes inserting of reinforcing material into grooves routed in the original sound wood. Grooves number, positions and dimensions, and strengthening materials may differ, according to the desired increase of bending stiffness and strength. The Modulus-of-Elasticity (MOE) of each beam is of key importance, but the incisions can affect it, net of the reduction of the removed wood. In this study 12 old beams were accurately measured and their static and dynamic MOEs calculated before and after the grooves processing, to simulate the operations of typical reinforcing interventions. One groove was routed along the length of each beam and deepened progressively by three steps. Tests have showed how the MOE is affected by the groove depth, decreasing up to one third. The paper proves how the weakening effect of grooves on-site can be assessed with dynamic MOE and roughly predicted by means of visual survey. Grooves need for strengthening beams, must be carefully evaluated because of the variation of the actual mechanical properties, net to lost wood.

In this contribution, unmodified silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized for their size and morphological properties. Thereafter, their peroxidase-like activity as the common catalytic property of silver nanoparticles was investigated by catalyzing the oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethyl-benzidine (TMB) as peroxidase substrate, exhibiting, a specific activity as high as 5.4 µM min^-1 for the as-prepared unmodified silver nanoparticles. The stability of the catalytic activity of the as-prepared nanozymes was also checked upon their storage at ambient temperature within 7 days at different storage conditions. The results revealed that the peroxidase-like activity of unmodified silver nanoparticles was approximately retained at about 75%, and 63% after 7 days exposing daylight and air oxygen, in order. The shelf-life (storage stability) of the as-prepared nanozymes was also investigated at usual storage conditions (i.e., 4 ℃ under dark), revealed that the nanozymes saved their activity about 96% of their initial activity after 10 days of storage at 4 ℃ under dark conditions.

Commercially available paraffin wax LTP ST, manufactured in Poland by POLWAX, was used as a phase change material (PCM) for passive cooling of a LED panel containing 28 high power light emitting diodes (LEDs). Paraffin wax LTP ST of density = 930 kgm-3 at room temperature (RT) was chosen over other POLWAX waxes (LUXOLINA, LUXOLINA-ST, LTP 56-20) because of its melting point range (44.5 – 55.4)℃, relatively high latent heat of fusion H = 218.8 Jg-1, high specific heat Cp = 2.11 Jg-1K-1 and thermal conductivity k=0.233 Wm-1K-1 at 0 ℃ [1]. The thermophysical properties were studied in samples of pure LTP ST paraffin and doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (1.99, 3.49, 5.35, 10.49 wt%, MWCNT) or silver nanowires (0.26, 0.32, 1.06, 2.10, 7.35 wt%, SNW). Analysis of the thermal effects of doped samples showed a relative increase in the degree of subcooling, averaging 100% for MWCNT and 46% for SNW , a relative 15÷25% decrease in enthalpy of melting for MWCNT and 14÷16% for SNW. A 44% increase in thermal conductivity was found for the sample containing 5.35 wt% MWCNTs and a 91% increase for 1.06 wt% SNW. The results of cooling efficiency tests for 3 types of developed heat sinks made of AW-2017A aluminum alloy are presented, i.e.: (a) - full system without PCM filling, (b) - system with PCM chamber without intracellular ribs, (c) system with PCM chamber with intracellular fins.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using raw Whey has never been reported. Silver nanoparticle formation involves a reduction reaction of silver salt solution with Whey extract. Extract and metal salt concentrations, and temperature can control this reaction. In this work, incubation period, extract, AgNO3, and NaOH concentrations were used as the independent factors using central composite design under response surface methodology. The aim was to elucidate the influence these factors have on the measured UV-Vis absorption spectra fitted with a Voigt function, and to optimize the conditions for nanoparticle formation. The fitting parameters, peak wavelength (λ0), peak area (A), and Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM), were the responses. Silver nanoparticle formation was only possible in an alkaline environment (pH 10). The peak wavelength and the FWHM are influenced mainly by extract and AgNO3 concentrations. In contrast, the peak area is influenced by a total of 33.54 % from the interaction terms of AgNO3 and extract concentrations with NaOH. Metallic AgNPs were formed for the following parameter ranges: a) Whey (0.4 – 1.6 % v/v), b) AgNO3 (0.15 – 0.6 mM), c) NaOH (10 – 50 mM), and d) Time (20 – 60 min). Silver oxide nanoparticles were also observed.

Silver powder, as the primary component of solar silver paste, significantly influences various aspects of paste performance, including printing, sintering, and conductivity. Silver powders prepared using the liquid-phase reduction method exhibit different microstructures depending on whether the growth process is dominated by aggregation or crystalline growth. This study explores the impact of different silver powder microstructures on packing density and sintering activity. It is observed that polycrystalline aggregated silver powder possesses higher surface energy, lower packing density, and greater sintering activity. Investigation into the influence of different silver powders on the electrical conductivity, adhesion, and structural density of silver paste reveals that polycrystalline aggregated silver powder is more suitable for lower sintering temperature pastes, whereas crystalline growth-type silver powder is better suited for higher sintering temperature pastes, resulting in a denser sintered silver layer. Finally, an analysis of the impact of various silver powders on the aspect ratio and electrical performance of solar cell silver grid lines yields higher aspect ratios (0.40) and photoelectric conversion efficiency (19.26%).

Given the dramatic increase of L. sceleratus population in southeastern Aegean Sea, there is growing interest in assessing the toxicity of this pufferfish and the factors controlling its tetrodotoxin (TTX) content. In the present study, liver, gonads, muscle and skin of L. sceleratus specimens from Rhodes island, Greece were subjected to multi-analyte profiling using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in order to quantitate TTX and evaluate whether this biotoxin interrelates with hormones. TTX and its analogues 4-epiTTX, 11-deoxyTTX, 11-norTTX-6-ol, 4,9-anhydroTTX and5,11-6,11-dideoxyTTX were detected in all tissue types. Liver and gonads were the most toxic tissues, with the highest TTX concentrations being observed in the ovaries of female specimens. Only 22% of the analyzed muscle samples were non-toxic according to the Japanese toxicity threshold (2.2 μg TTX eq g-1), confirming the high poisoning risk from from the inadvertent consumption of this species. Four steroid hormones (i.e., cortisol, testosterone, androstenedione and β-estradiol) and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were detected in the gonads. Androstenedione dominated in female specimens, while GnRH was more abundant in males. A positive correlation of TTX and its analogues with β-estradiol was observed. Though, a model incorporating sex rather than β-estradiol as independent variable was proved more efficient in predicting TTX concentration, implying that other sex-related characteristics are more important than specific hormone-regulated processes.

Addressing the growing need for effective and environmentally friendly fungicides in agricul-ture, this study explored the potential of alginate microparticles loaded with metal ions as a novel approach to combat fungal pathogens. Novel alginate microparticles (microspheres and microcapsules) loaded with zinc or simultaneously with zinc and silver ions were prepared and physicochemically characterized (microparticle size, morphology, topography, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and swelling behavior). Investigation of molecular interactions in microparticles using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy exhibited complex interactions between all con-stituents. Fitting to the simple Korsmeyer-Peppas empirical model revealed the rate-controlling mechanism of zinc and silver ions release from microparticles is Fickian diffusion. Lower values of the release constant k imply a slower release rate of Zn or Ag ions from microcapsules com-pared to that of microspheres. The antimicrobial potential of the new formulations against the fungus Botrytis cinerea was evaluated. When subjected to tests against the fungus, microspheres and microparticles loaded with both zinc and silver ions effectively reduced its growth and al-tered the fungal hyphal structures well as exhibited superior antifungal activity. The results showed the potential of these novel microparticles as potent fungicides in agriculture.

Swarf of aluminum alloy with high corrosion resistance and ductility was successfully converted into fine hydroreactive powders via its ball milling with silver powder and either lithium chloride or gallium. The later substances significantly intensified particle size reduction, while silver formed ‘cathodic’ sites (Ag, Ag2Al) promoting Al corrosion in aqueous saline solutions with hydrogen generation. The diffraction patterns, microphotographs, and elemental analysis results demonstrated partial aluminum oxidation in the samples and their contamination with tungsten carbide from milling balls. Those effects were responsible for obtaining hydrogen yields lower than expected. For AlCl3 solution at 60 °C, Al–LiCl–Ag, Al–LiCl, Al–Ga–Ag, and Al–Ga composites delivered (84.6±0.2), (86.8±1.4), (80.2±0.5), and (76.7±0.7)% of the expected hydrogen respectively. Modification with Ag promoted Al oxidation thus providing higher hydrogen evolution rates. The samples with Ag were tested in CaCl2 solution as well, for which the reaction proceeded much slower. At a higher temperature (80 °C) after 3 h of experiment, the hydrogen yields for Al–LiCl–Ag and Al–Ga–Ag powders were (46.7±2.1) and (31.8±1.9)%. The tested Ag-modified composite powders were considered promising for hydrogen generation and had a potential for further improvement to provide higher performance.

Two antimicrobial agents such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) have been formulated with natural polysaccharides (chitosan or alginate) to develop innovative inks for the rapid, customizable, and extremely accurate manufacturing of 3D printed scaffolds useful as dressings in the treatment of infected skin wounds. Suitable chemical-physical properties for the applicability of these innovative devices were demonstrated through the evaluation of water content (88-93%), mechanical strength (Young’s modulus 0.23-0.6 MPa), elasticity, and morphology. The antimicrobial tests performed against Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa demonstrated the antimicrobial activities against Gram+ and Gram– bacteria of AgNPs and TiO2 agents embedded in the CH or ALG macroporous 3D hydrogels (AgNPs MIC starting from 5 µg/ml). The biocompatibility of chitosan was widely demonstrated by cell viability tests and was higher than that observed for alginate. Constructs containing AgNPs at 10 µg/ml concentration level did not significantly alter cell viability as well as the presence of titanium dioxide; cytotoxicity towards human fibroblasts was observed starting with AgNPs concentration of 100 µg/ml. In conclusions, the 3D printed dressings here developed own the features to be cheap, highly defined, easy to be manufactured and further applied in personalized antimicrobial medicine applications.

Silver nanoparticles from Origanum vulgare (Oregano) have been synthesized in the past. However, no investigation has been performed on the combined effects of independent factors that affect the synthesis. Silver nitrate and Oregano concentrations, incubation temperature and time, as well as pH can play crucial roles in synthesis. In this regard Full Factorial Design was applied. A Voigt function was fitted on the measured UV – Vis spectra. The fitting parameters of the Voigt function (peak wavelength, area, and Full Width at Half Maximum) were used as the responses. A quadratic model was fitted for the peak wavelength and area, and the pH proved the dominant factor on nanoparticle synthesis.

Influence of reaction time on silver nanoparticles-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was evaluated via probing the oxidation process by recording the UV-Visible absorbance of the resulting colored products of TMB oxidation by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of silver nanoparticles as peroxides mimics. The time curve of the oxidation process was constructed, revealed that the concentration of the oxidation product was increased by increasing the reaction time and then levled off because the nanozyme active nodes were saturated after a certain reaction time and consequently the steady-state condition can be observed. The maximal activity of the silver nanozymes was achieved after a very short reaction time as short as 3.0 min and after this time, the color intensity of the oxidation products remained constant, revealing saturation of active nodes of nanoparticles with nanozyme-substrate.

Due to their wide range of uses in modern technology, nanomaterial’s of silver metallic (Ag-NPs) have engaged considerable concern, driving significant research with development efforts. This study focuses on investigating the antimicrobial properties of Ag-NPs, encompassing their production, characterization, and biological aspects. The eco-friendly extracellular biosynthetic method employed in this work utilized extracts from the marine fungus Aspergillus flavus MK4 as reducing agents for nanoparticle synthesis. Analyzing the colloidal Ag-NPs using UV-visible spectroscopy revealed a peak in absorbance at 460 nm, indicating the presence of plasmonic properties. The electrons imaging of internal structure (TEM) elucidated spherical shape of the Ag-NPs by 15 nm size. Testing against bacterial diversities (Gr-ve & Gr+ve) revealed potent antibacterial and antifungal efficacy. Cytotoxicity versus HepG-2 cell line was assessed using the MTT assay, and antioxidant properties were examined through the radical scavenging (DPPH) assay. In wise of their conceivable applications in the fields of antibacterial, anticancer, and wound-healing, the Ag-NPs that were synthesized exhibit promising features. With its powerful ability to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP), Aspergillus flavus MK4 Aspergillus flavus MK4 can generate nanoparticles extensively characterized, demonstrating their antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and wound-healing properties.

This article describes a novel electrochemical on-chip biosensor that utilizes anti-PSA antibody (Ab) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance the sensing and detection capability of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. The AgNPs are prepared, characterized, and applied onto a silicon photonic on-chip biosensing receptor platform designed to enhance the accurate detection of PSA. The AgNPs were synthesized by a chemical reduction method using silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as the precursor. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and light microscopy were among the methods used in the characterization and analysis of the AgNPs. Each stage of the immunosensor fabrication was characterized using cyclic voltammetry. The proposed immunosensor was applied in the detection of PSA, a prostate cancer biomarker, with a high sensitivity and a limit of detection of 0.17 ng/mL over a linear concentration range of 2.5 to 11.0 ng/mL. The immunosensor displayed good stability and was selective in the presence of interfering species like immunoglobulin (Ig) in human serum, ascorbic acid (AA), and diclofenac (Dic). The detectivity and sensitivity are significantly higher than previous reports on similar or related technologies.

A new one-pot technique for preparation of polysaccharide-based Pd- and Pd-Ag nanocatalysts by sequential supporting natural polymer (2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), chitosan (Chit), pectin (Pec)) and metals on zinc oxide was developed. The nanocatalysts based on polysaccharide were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), infrared spectroscopy (IRS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and elemental analysis methods. The catalyst characterization results indicated complete adsorption of polysaccharide and metal ions on zinc oxide, forming polymer-stabilized Pd nanoparticles of ~2 nm in size, evenly distributed on the support surface. The catalysts were studied in the hydrogenation of 2-hexyn-1-ol under mild conditions (0.1 MPa, 40 °C). The catalysts demonstrated nearly the same conversion of 2-hexyn-1-ol. The selectivity to cis-hexen-1-ol of the catalysts decreases in the following order: 0.5%Pd-Ag(3:1)HEC/ZnO>0.5%Pd-Ag(3:1)Pec/ZnO>0.5%Pd-Ag(3:1)Chit/ZnO. The optimum reaction temperature and catalyst loading for the Pd-Ag catalysts modified with HEC and Chit have been determined (40 °C, 0.05 g).

Despite recent improvements in the methods used to eradicate and minimize mosquito populations, they still pose severe threats to human health. This study aimed to investigate the Larvicidal potentials of silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum on wild Anopheles larvae from Lagos. The plant used in this study was collected from the southeastern part of Nigeria, Ibite-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Wild Anopheles mosquito larvae were collected from a field at Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria where resistant Anopheline populations have been reported in and around Lagos State were brought to the laboratory and kept under standard insectary conditions (25–29 °C;78–82% relative humidity). Aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum was made and subsequently into the silver nanoparticles. A bioassay test was performed according to WHO guidelines, with six different concentrations to assess the larvicidal activity and values obtained were subjected to log prohibit regression analysis to obtain LC₅₀ and values with 95% confidence limit. The results of the larvicidal activities of the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum showed that the mortality rate was dose-dependent with the percentage mortality increasing at a direct proportional rate as with dose and time of exposure. Ocimum gratissimum gave LC₅₀ at 0.5 ppm and LC₉₅ at 2.5 ppm respectively. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles augmented the larvicidal activity of the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum on wild Anopheles larvae from Lagos. Therefore, this study showed that the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum have the potency to be used against an insecticide-resistant mosquito vector and are a suitable candidate for the development of novel natural insecticides.

This study endeavors the preparation and evaluation of Phenol Furfural Resin (PFR) from bagasse and its nanocomposites for Electrically Conductive Adhesives (ECAs) application. PFR was prepared with the furfural extracted from bagasse using modified acid digestion method. Three different formulations of PFR nanocomposites with conductive nanoparticles i.e., PFR-silver, PFR-graphite, and PFR-silver + graphite were prepared using 20-60 w/w% of fillers via impregnation method. Resultant products were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, EDS and XRD spectroscopy. Electrical conductivity was measured using four probe technique while band gap was calculated via Tauc plot. Virgin PFR has shown poor conductivity up to 2.6 × 10-4 Scm-1 while the highest conductivity achieved was 8.2 × 10-1 Scm-1 for nanocomposite constituted silver, graphite, and PFR with 40:30:20 ratios respectively. This synergism was exhibited because graphite and Ag NPs supply excellent junctions for building networks. Both tend to coalesce due to van der Waals forces and high surface energies, therefore conductive pathways numbers can be increased, and contact area can be effectively enlarged. This ternary composite has exhibited the lowest bandgap energy value i.e., 3.1 eV. Thermogravimetric temperatures T0 and Tdeg values were increased up to 120 °C and 484 °C respectively, showing significant increase in thermal stability. Therefore, the resultant nanocomposite material has good potential to be employed as ECAs in electronic industry.

Drought is one of the leading abiotic factors limiting morphological and physiological activities in blackberry cultivation. We investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on morphological and physiological processes in the boysenberry crop (Rubus ursinus Chamisso & Schlenhtendal) under drought stress. The experiment was performed with three drought stress levels (0% PEG, 4% PEG and 8% PEG) and three AgNPs treatments (0, 0.1, 0.2 mg L−1) invitro conditions. The results showed that drought stress induced by PEG, reduced root and shoot development of boysenberry plants grown invitro. The addition of AgNPs is significantly alleviated the adverse effect of drought stress and increased the plant growth parameters. Antioxidant activity of SOD and CAT enzymes increased in boysenberry leaves when treated with AgNPs under drought conditions, while the amount of MDA decreased. Therefore, the results obtained in this study suggest that 0.1 mg L-1 AgNPs added to the medium improve the growth and development of invitro boysenberry plants under drought stress.

Recent researches indicated that metal nanoparticles which have the unique optical properties can be used to enhance the spectral response of the photovoltaic modules. Since most of the nanoparticles have enhancement effects in a specific wavelength range, improving the spectral response of the photovoltaic modules in a broadband range is crucial for their applications in imaging, energy harvesting, and optical communication. In this study, flower-like silver particles are applied to achieve the enhancement effects in a broadband range. The optical absorption of photovoltaic modules is improved in a broad wavelength range of 400~2000 nm by immobilizing flower-like silver particles onto an amorphous Si p-i-n structure, and the peak responsivity of the spectral response is enhanced by about 10 times. Theoretical investigation further elaborates that the enhancement originates from the near-field effects of silver particles due to the interaction of different parts of the flower-like silver particles. Through these studies, we demonstrate that, utilizing the subwavelength silver particles with roughness surface can achieve the spectral response of the photovoltaic modules enhanced in broadband range, which can improve the utilization efficiency of optical energy for the applications of sensing, imaging, optical communication, and energy harvesting.

The goal of this study was to determine the relative susceptibility of four common equine wound pathogens to ten different types of antimicrobial agents based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Additionally, to describe the comparison of bactericidal activity of medical grade Manuka honey, local honey, and commercial, food-grade honey to other commonly used wound dressings. The objective is to provide veterinary practitioners with comparative data on the use of a variety of antimicrobial dressings for inhibiting growth of common wound bacteria. MIC and MBC for Manuka, store, and local honeys were comparable to those of sterile gauze, sugar, and hypertonic saline. Across bacterial species, local honey proved to have more bactericidal activity when compared to Manuka and commercial, food-grade honey. The MIC and MBC for PHMB gauze and foam was consistently at a higher dilution compared to the other antimicrobials. The majority of antimicrobials exhibited stronger inhibitory and bactericidal activity against a Streptococcus zooepidemicus isolate obtained from a wound compared to other bacteria that were ATCC lab acclimated. Additional research for in-vivo applications needs to be done to see whether differences exist in effective wound management.

Improving the quality of natural water purification is one of the priority areas in the research of scientific communities in the field of ecology. At the same time, the task is to achieve optimal efficiency at a low cost of the technological process. The solution in this case is the use of materials necessary for cleaning, in particular, sorbents from natural raw materials, including agricultural waste. At present, a sufficient number of research results have been published confirming the effectiveness of the sorbent from biochar of various agricultural wastes, as well as from rice straw biochar. This article proposes an innovative method for modifying biochar from rice straw, which allows the use of the material as a sorbent with a disinfecting effect. The method consists in processing biochar in a process activation apparatus (PAP) in a solution of silver nitrate with the release in the form of a carbon nanomaterial with attached metallic silver ions on the surface of biochar particles. Rice straw biochar was mixed in distilled water with silver nitrate AgNO3 and placed in the AAP in a replaceable insert with ferromagnetic particles that have a magnetostrictive effect under the influence of an electromagnetic field. Next, the contact of biochar impregnated with a solution of silver nitrate and ferromagnetic particles was carried out for 2 minutes under electromagnetic influence, after which the treated sample was dried in an oven for 4 hours at t=105ºС, followed by calcination in a muffle furnace at 450ºС for 3 hours. The resulting silver-containing sorbent was subjected to a physicochemical analysis of its properties, photographs of electron microscopy were also obtained, and a bacteriological analysis of the effectiveness of the sorbent on natural water was carried out. According to the results of the analyzes, the silver-containing sorbent is a mesoporous nanomaterial with an average mesopore diameter for desorption of 196 Å, a relative volume of pores with a diameter of up to 900 Å 0.034 cm³/g,, specific surface 7.45 m²/g and a content of metallic silver ions on the surface of the sorbent particles of (Ag) 16.7%, oxygen (O) 54.9%, unexpectedly (С) 13.7%, silicon (Si) 8.1%. Laboratory studies for the bacteriological analysis of natural water consisted in the sorption processing of the selected samples in the carbonization mode, followed by sedimentation after the introduction of the reagent (a mixture of coagulant and flocculant). The analysis was carried out on three indicators - total microbial count (TMC), total coliform bacteria (TCB) and thermotolerant coliform bacteria (TCB). According to the research results, the sorbent showed its disinfecting properties and confirmed its high efficiency (90,48%-100%).

Novel antibacterial silver nanomaterials have become promising substitutes for traditional antibiotics, because pathogens do not develop resistance to them. However, it is necessary to produce silver nanoparticles with appropriate size and better performance through a green and simple synthesis process. In the present study, Fructus mori-composite silver nanoparticles (M-AgNPs) were greenly synthesized using medicinal plant mulberry fruits (Fructus mori), with silver nitrate (AgNO3) as a precursor. UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the formation of silver nanoparticles with face centered cubic structure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the reducing and capping effects of mulberry fruits' active components (polyphenols, flavonoids, etc.) on M-AgNPs. The reaction parameters including temperature, time, pH, and concentration of AgNO3 were gradually optimized. The particle size and morphology of M-AgNPs were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The minimum particle size of M-AgNPs was about 30 nm, and they were approximately spherical and equably distributed. The excellent stability of M-AgNPs ensured that no agglomeration occurred for up to 60 days. The antioxidant activity of M-AgNPs was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) assay, and the DPPH radical clearance rate of M-AgNPs was up to about 79%. Greenly synthesized M-AgNPs exhibited better antibacterial activity than chemically synthesized commercial silver nanoparticles (C-AgNPs), due to the active molecules attached to their surfaces. The inhibition zone diameters of M-AgNPs against P.aeruginosa, E.coli and S.aureus were 13.9±0.4、12.2±0.3、12.8±0.7 mm, respectively. Such greenly synthesized AgNPs from medicinal plants have good prospects in the field of biomedicine.

We present a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor array for microRNA (miRNA) detection that utilizes photocatalytic silver staining on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles as a signal enhancement technique for high sensitivity with an internal reference sensor for high reproducibility. A sandwich hybridization was performed on working sensors of the SAW sensor array that could simultaneously capture and detect three miRNAs (miRNA-21, miRNA-106b, and miRNA-155) known to be upregulated in cancer. Sensor responses due to signal amplification varied depending on the concentration of synthetic miRNAs. It was confirmed that normalization (a ratio of working sensor response to reference sensor response) screened out background interferences by manipulating data and minimized non-uniformity in the photocatalytic silver staining step by suppressing disturbances to both working sensor signal and reference sensor signal. Finally, we were able to successfully detect target miRNAs in cancer cell-derived exosomal miRNAs with performance comparable to the detection of synthetic miRNAs.

Bioactive surface coatings have retained the attention of researchers and physicians due to their versatility and range of applications in orthopedics, particularly in infection prevention. Antibacterial metal nanoparticles (mNPs) are a promising therapeutic, with vast application opportunities on orthopedic implants. The current research aimed to construct a polyelectrolyte multilayer on a highly porous titanium implant using alternating thin film coatings of chitosan and alginate via the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique, along with the incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), for antibacterial and osteoconductive activity. These mNPs were characterized for their physicochemical properties using quartz crystal microgravimetry with dissipation system, nanoparticle tracking analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Their cytotoxicity and osteogenic differentiation capabilities were assessed by AlamarBlue and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, respectively. The antibiofilm efficacy of the mNPs tested against Staphylococcus aureus. The LbL polyelectrolyte coating was successfully applied to the porous titanium substrate. A dose-dependent relationship between nanoparticle concentration and ALP as well as antibacterial effects was observed. TiO2NP samples were also less cytotoxic than AgNP counterparts, although similarly antimicrobial. Together, these data serve as a proof-of-concept for a novel coating approach for orthopedic implants with antimicrobial and osteoconductive properties.

This study explores cutting-edge and sustainable green methodologies and technologies for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials, with a specific focus on the removal of water contami-nants and the application of kinetic adsorption models. Our research adopts a conscientious ap-proach to environmental stewardship by synergistically employing eco-friendly silver nanopar-ticles, synthesized using Justicia Spicigera extract as a biogenic reducing agent, in conjunction with Mexican zeolite to enhance contaminant remediation, particularly targeting Cu²⁺ ions. Structural analysis, utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution scanning and transmis-sion electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), yields crucial insights into nanocomposite structure and morphology. Rigorous linear and non-linear kinetic models, encompassing pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Freundlich, and Langmuir, are employed to elucidate the kinetics and equilibrium behaviors of adsorption. Results underscore the remarkable efficiency of the Zeolite-Ag composite in Cu²⁺ ion removal, surpassing traditional materials, achieving an im-pressive adsorption rate of 98% for Cu. Furthermore, the Zeolite-Ag composite exhibits maxi-mum adsorption times of 480 minutes. In the computational analysis, an initial mechanism for Cu²⁺ adsorption on zeolites is identified. The process involves rapid adsorption onto the surface of the Zeolite-Ag NP composite, followed by a gradual diffusion of ions into the cavities within the zeolite structure. Upon reaching equilibrium, a substantial reduction in copper ion concen-tration in the solution signifies successful removal. This research represents a noteworthy stride in sustainable contaminant removal, aligning with eco-friendly practices and supporting the potential integration of this technology into environmental applications. Consequently, it pre-sents a promising solution for eco-conscious contaminant remediation, emphasizing the utiliza-tion of green methodologies and sustainable technologies in the development of functional na-nomaterials

In this study, Silicon Carbide (SiC) nano-particle based serigraphic printing inks were formulated to fabricate highly sensitive and wide temperature range SiC printed thermistors. Initially, commercial silver ink was screen printed to fabricate inter-digitated electrodes (IDE’s) onto flexible Kapton® substrate via screen printing. Thermistor inks with different weight ratios of SiC nano- particles dispersed in polyimide resin matrix were fabricated. The SiC-polyimide temperature sensing inks were screen printed atop the IDE structures to form fully printed thermistors and encapsulated with a adhesive backed polyimide film for humidity inhibition. The high temperature tolerance of the Kapton® allowed the the sensors to be tested over a wide temperature range form 25◦C to 170◦C. The printed SiC thermistors exhibit excellent repeatability and stability over 15 hours of continuous operation. Optimal device performance was achieved with 30 wt.% SiC-polyimide ink. We report highly sensitive devices with a temperature coefficient of Resistance (TCR) of -0.556 %/◦C, a thermal coefficient of 502 K (β-index) and an activation energy of 0.08 eV which are comparable with printed thermistors previous reported. Further, the thermistor demonstrates an accuracy of ±1.35◦C which is well within the range offered by commercially available high sensitivity thermistors. SiC thermistors exhibit a small 6.5% drift due to changes in relative humidity between 10-90 %RH and a 4.2 % drift in baseline resistance after 100 cycles of aggressive bend testing at a 40°angle. The use of commercially available low cost materials, simplicity of design and fabrication techniques coupled with the chemical inertness of the Kapton® substrate and SiC nanoparticles paves the way to use all-printed SiC thermistors towards a wide range of applications where temperature monitoring is vital for optimal system performance.

Pure silver as well as silver compounds have been used as antiseptics for centuries. Nowadays, the most frequently applied form of silver is a nanoparticle form. Several studies demonstrate the ability of silver nanoparticles and silver salts to accumulate in the brain of laboratory ani-mals as well as the ability of silver nanoparticles to influence behavioral and cognitive functions of laboratory mammals. For the first time, the influence of a silver salt, in particular, silver citrate on the change dynamics of behavioral and cognitive functions of laboratory mice at the daily oral exposure during 30, 60, 120 and 180 days is investigated in the present research. We observed the anxiety increase after 30 days of the exposure as well as the ability of mice to adapt to the prolonged oral exposure of silver citrate manifested in the anxiety decrease, increase of locomotor activity and the tendency of long-term contextual memory improvement. Increase of locomotor activity and memory improvement might be associated with the sensitivity increase and regarded as compensatory mechanism to anxiety increase. The observed phenomenon is classified as a hormetic effect. A comparison with the analogous study implemented polyvi-nylpyrrolidone coated silver nanoparticles is carried out. It was concluded that the nanoform is more neurotoxic.

In this contribution, time course studies were performed toward oxidation of different peroxidase substrates in the presence of silver nanozymes. In this regard, two common peroxidase substrates, TMB and DAB, were selected as model chromogens. The process of the oxidation reaction was probed by recording the absorbance of the colored products using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Thereafter, the nanozymatic activity was calculated and used as an index for comparing the performance of the silver nanozymes against different substrates in a certain reaction time. The time course curves, revealed that the maximal activity of the silver nanozymes were achieved after a very short time of 3.0 min toward TMB oxidation while regarding DAB, the maximal activity was observed after 25.0 min which is 6.5-fold slower than that of the TMB oxidation. The difference between the DAB and TMB can be assigned to their different reaction pathways and different reactivity. In fact, the oxidation of DAB has occurred via n-electron irreversible pathway while the TMB oxidation has occurred through a simple 2-electon reversible pathway. Besides, DAB is a high stable and less relative compound compared of TMB, resulting different oxidation times, different affinity for binding to nanozyme active nodes which lead to different nanozymatic activities.

Polypyrrole (PPy)-capped caped silver nanowire (Ag NW) nanomaterials (core–shell rod-shaped Ag NW@PPy) were synthesized suing a one–port suspension polymerization technique. The thickness of PPy layer on the 50-nm-thickness/15-μm-length Ag NW was effectively controlled to 10, 40, 50, and 60 nm. Thin films cast from one-dimensional conductive Ag NW@PPy formed a three-dimensional (3-D) conductive porous network structure and provided excellent electrochemical performance. The 3-D Ag NW@PPy network can significantly reduce the internal resistance of the electrode and maintain structural stability. As a result, a high specific capacitance of 625 F/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s was obtained from the 3-D porous Ag NW@PPy composite film. The cycling performance over a long period exceeding 10,000 cycles was also evaluated. We expect that our core–shell-structured Ag NW@PPy composites and their 3-D porous structure network films can be applied as electrochemical materials for the design and manufacture of supercapacitors and other energy storage devices.

The article presents the influence of ecological agents, i.e. the effective microorganisms and silver compounds addition to lubricating oil on operating parameters of an internal combustion engine. The basic diagnostic parameters of a piston engine determining its technical condition were described. In the further part, the research stand and materials were presented. In the main part of this article for pure oil compared to oil with the effective microorganisms and silver compounds addition were shown. It was found that the addition of effective microorganisms and silver compounds to the oil reduces the emission of toxic components into the atmosphere along with the exhaust gases, while the remaining engine operating parameters for each load value show that these additives do not cause deterioration of the technical condition of the tested engine. Of all the agents used, the best results are obtained with the addition of ceramic tubes, because it is an additive that does not affect the properties of the oil in its composition. The advantage of ceramic tubes is the slow release of effective microorganisms, which has an effect on the parameters of the oil and thus on the operation of the engine. In further research, it will be checked how these additives affect the anti-seize and anti-wear properties of the lubricating oil used, which should give a broader view of the impact of these additives on the technical condition of the operated piston engine.

The study findings revealed significant variability in various wood properties among different genetic families, although the static modulus of elasticity did not exhibit significant differences between the chosen genetic families. All measured wood properties decreased from the bottom to the top of the model trees. Wood hardness displayed a moderately negative correlation with wood density and weak correlations with MOE and MOR. Given the weak correlations between wood hardness and other wood mechanical properties, it is suggested that the MOEdyn would be a more suitable trait for genetic studies.

The integration of commodities into stock exchanges marked a pivotal moment in the analysis of price dynamics. Commodities, essential for both daily sustenance and industrial processes, encompass hard commodities like metals and energy, alongside soft commodities such as agricultural produce. This paper investigates the implications of commodity price volatility on commercial and financial landscapes, recognizing its profound impact on global economies. This study employs a meticulous methodology, delineated into four stages: identification, control, and final selection of academic articles, culminating in their tabulation. Methodologically, a literature review serves as the primary tool for data acquisition, with a focus on existing scientific knowledge to bridge gaps and propose avenues for further inquiry. Drawing from reliable sources, including Google Scholar and Science Direct, the research navigates through a wealth of scholarly discourse on commodity market dynamics. By analyzing trends in academic publications, particularly focusing on the interplay between volatility spillover and gold, this paper provides insights into the evolution of research paradigms over time. Ultimately, this paper not only synthesizes existing knowledge but also identifies lacunae for future investigation, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding commodity markets and their ramifications on global economies.

The development of multidrug resistance by pathogenic bacteria and yeast is a significant medical problem that needs to be addressed. One possible answer could be the combined use of antibiotics and silver nanoparticles, which have different mechanisms of antimicrobial action. Nanoparticles can be combined with antifungal agents in the same way. Biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using environmentally friendly technology using extracts of biologically active plants are an effective nanomaterial that needs to be comprehensively investigated for implementation into medical practice. In this study, the synergistic effects arising from their combined use with antibiotics and fungicides against various bacteria and yeasts, included in the ESKAPE list, were studied. Effective concentrations of substances were established, recommendations for the studied pathogenic species were presented and the effect of destruction of the bacterial membrane was illustrated. The most significant synergistic effect was manifested in pathogenic candida and brewer's yeast.

The silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is among the most valuable conifers in Europe for ecological and economic reasons. In the course of history, primarily in the 20th century, its share in stands has been declining due to ill-suited management practices, especially clear-cut management, air pollution, and wildlife-induced damage. Based on recent knowledge of fir ecology and population dynamics, small-scale shelterwood and selection management have been introduced in fir stands, which have also stabilized them. Fir is an essential species for maintaining high stability and biodiversity, especially on planosols and in waterlogged habitats. Due to its shade tolerance and environmental flexibility, particularly at higher altitudes, it can coexist very well with many tree species in mixtures, which can increase the productive potential of stands. It can form stands of heterogeneous structure, ranging from single to multi-layer to selection. For its successful natural regeneration, it is essential to reduce cloven-hoofed game and thus prevent bud browsing damage. On the other hand, fir is a species relatively resistant to bark stripping and the spread of secondary rot compared to Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). During global climate change, fir is expected to shift to higher elevations with sufficient precipitation, while in the southern part of its natural range or at lower elevations, outside water-influenced habitats, it is likely to decline. This paper essentially reviews the description and distribution of the species, its ecological requirements, threats and diseases, habitat and stand conditions, and close-to-nature forest management practices with emphasis on ongoing climate change.

A combination of Poloxamer 407 (P407) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) hydrosols is proposed as an in situ thermo-gelling vehicle for the nasal drug delivery of chlorhexidine-silver nanoparticles conjugates (SN-CX). Varying ratios of P407 and HPMC were applied in the presence and absence of SN-CX in order to optimize the gelation temperature (Tg) to values close to the physiological nasal such (30–34°C). Mechanisms for the observed gelation phenomena were suggested based on viscosimetry, texture analysis, and dynamic light scattering. Tests were carried out for sprayability, washout time, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation, and antimicrobial activity. When applied separately, HPMC was found to lower the P407 gelation temperature, whereas SN-CX increased it. However, in the presence of HPMC, SN-CX interfered with the P407 micellar organization in a principally contrasting way, while leading to an even further decrease in Tg. SN-CX-loaded nasal formulation composed of P407 16% and HPMC 0.1% demonstrated a desired gelation at 31.9 °C, good sprayability (52.95% coverage of the anterior nasal cavity), mucoadhesion for 70 min under simulated nasal clearance, expedient release and permeation, and preserved anti-infective activity against seasonal Influenza virus and beta-coronavirus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and other pathogens. Our findings suggest that the current development could be considered a potential formulation of a protective nasal spray against respiratory infections.