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In the field of construction materials, the development of fundamental technologies to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, such as manufacturing process improvement and the expanded use of alternative materials, is required. Technologies for effectively reducing energy consumption and improving CO2 absorption and reduction that can meet domestic greenhouse gas reduction targets are also required. In this study, calcium–aluminate–ferrite (CAF), a ternary system of CaO·Al2O3·Fe2O3, was sintered at a low temperature (1100 °C) to examine the possibility of CO2 adsorption, and excellent CO2 absorption performance was confirmed, as the calcite content was found to be 11.01% after 3 h of the reaction between synthetic CAF (SCAF) and CO2. In addition, the physical and carbonation characteristics were investigated with respect to the SCAF substitution rate for cement (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%). It was found that SCAF 10% developed a compressive strength similar to that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC 100%), but the compressive strength tended to decrease as the SCAF substitution rate increased. An increase in the SCAF substitution rate led to the rapid penetration of CO2, and carbonation was observed in all the specimens after 7 days. As carbonation time increased, the CO2 diffusion coefficient tended to decrease. This is because the diffusion of CO2 in the cement matrix follows the semi-infinite model of Fick’s second law. SCAF can contribute to reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions because of the low-temperature sintering and can absorb and fix CO2 when a certain amount is substituted.

The by-products of the circulating fluidized-bed boiler combustion (CFBC) of coal exhibit self-hardening properties due to the calcium silicates generated by the reaction between SiO2 and CaO, and the ettringite generated by the reaction of gypsum and quicklime with activated alumina. These reactions exhibit tendencies similar to that of the hydration of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In this study, the self-hydration and carbonation reaction mechanisms of CFBC by-products were analyzed. These CFBC by-products comprise a number of compounds, including Fe2O3, free CaO, and CaSO4, in large quantities. The hydration product calcium aluminate (and/or ferrite) of calcium aluminate ferrite and sulfate was confirmed through instrumental analysis. The CFBC by-products attain hardening properties because of the carbonation reaction between calcium aluminate ferrite and CO2. This can be identified as a self-hardening process because it does not require a supply of special ions from the outside. Through this study, it was confirmed that CFBC by-products generate CaCO3 through carbonation, thereby densifying the pores of the hardened body and contributing to the development of compressive strength.

Acaricidal activities and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities were evaluated of active constituents of the essential oil extracted from Alpinia galanga rhizomes cultivated from India and their derivatives against Haemaphysalis longicornis nymphs. In addition, the effect was investigated of active components of A. galanga oil on egg laying of adult females of H. longicornis and egg hatchability. Of the volatile components identified in A. galanga oil, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl methoxycinnamate, and methyl cinnamate at 0.32 mg/cm2 resulted in 100% mortality, respectively, indicating that the acaricidal activity of the A. galanga oil against H. longicornis nymphs could be attributed to these compounds. To evaluate the structure–activity relationship between cinnamate derivatives and their acaricidal activities, allyl cinnamate, benzyl cinnamate, isopropyl cinnamate, isobutyl cinnamate, and isoamyl cinnamate were selected. Among cinnamate derivatives tested, allyl cinnamate exhibited the most potent toxicity (LC50 = 0.055 mg/cm2) against H. longicornis nymphs. The allyl cinnamate was also tested for AChE activity in vivo in H. longicornis nymphs and was found to affect the AChE activity. Allyl cinnamate at 10–50 mg/mL inhibited egg laying of adult females of H. longicornis by 10–43%. Egg hatching was suppressed completely by treatment with allyl cinnamate at 50 mg/mL, whereas allyl cinnamate was minimally toxic against non-target earthworms, Eisenia fetida. These results suggest that allyl cinnamate can be used as an active ingredient for the development of eco-friendly tick acaricides against H. longicornis, a vector for Sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus.

Self- piercing riveting (SPR) is an advanced process of the mechanical joining of two or more sheet metals by piercing a rivet into the sheets. SPR has been widely applied to join dissimilar materials that are difficult to join, such as aluminum alloys and steels, especially in automobile industries. In the present work, the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) with thickness of 1.3 mm to SPFC 590DP steel with thickness of 1.2 mm was mechanical joined in lap configuration by the SPR process, and the effect of process parameters of force and shape of rivets on joints were investigated. The integrity of the joints was estimated by quality criteria in terms of the gap between the rivet head and the upper plate, remaining thickness of bottom plate and the length of interlock between the rivet and bottom plate. Furthermore, the tensile shear load, fatigue load and the fracture mode characteristics were investigated. From the result, maximum tensile-shear load of 1.94 kN was obtained at a force of 29 kN, which showed separation of CFRP due to fiber split phenomenon on interface of CFRP side in joints.

The aim of this study is to prepare ciprofloxacin (CIP) or levofloxacin (LEVO)-incorporated and polydopamine (PDA)-coated nephrite composites for application in drug-eluting contact lenses. PDA was coated onto the surface of nephrite to improve antibacterial activity and to payload antibiotics. CIP or LEVO was incorporated into the PDA layer on the surface of nephrite. Furthermore, CIP-incorporated/PDA-coated nephrite composites were embedded into the contact lenses. PDA-coated nephrite composites showed dull and smooth surfaces according to the dopamine concentration while nephrite itself has sharp surface morphology. CIP- or LEVO-loaded/PDA-coated nephrite composites also have dull and smooth surface properties. Nano and/or sub-micron clusters were observed in field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observation, indicating that PDA nanoparticles were accumulated and coated onto the surface of nephrite. Furthermore, CIP- or LEVO-incorporated/PDA-coated nephrite composites showed the sustained release of CIP or LEVO in vitro and these properties contributed to the enhanced antibacterial activity of composites compared to nephrite or PDA-coated nephrite composites. CIP-incorporated/PDA-coated nephrite composites were embedded in the contact lenses and then, in an antibacterial study, they showed higher bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) compared to nephrite itself or PDA-coated nephrite composites. We suggest that CIP- or LEVO-loaded/PDA-coated nephrite composite-embedded contact lenses are a promising candidate for therapeutic application.

Insecticidal and acaricidal responses of Cinnamomum cassia oils made by organic solvent (OS), steam distillation (SD), and supercritical fluid (SF) and their components were examined in two bioassays (contact and fumigant bioassays) against Plodia interpunctella , Sitophilus oryzae , S. zeamais , Tyrophagus putrescentiae , and Sitotroga cerealella adults. Using the contact or fumigant bioassay against T. putrescentiae adults, OS oil exhibited the strongest toxicities (50% lethal dose [LD 50 ], 2.60 μg/cm 2 and 1.34 μg/cm 3 ), followed by SF and SD oils. Furthermore, using two bioassays, SD oil against S. oryzae and S. zeamais adults exhibited the strongest toxicities (LD 50 , 102.25 μg/cm 2 and 68.62 μg/cm 3 , 102.03 μg/cm 2 and 57.59 μg/cm 3 ), followed by SF and OS oils. Using the fumigant bioassay against S. cerealella and P. interpunctella adults, OS oil exhibited the strongest toxicities (LD 50 , 1.17 μg/cm 3 and 0.79 μg/cm 3 ) followed by SF and SD oils. Cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and coumarin against T. putrescentiae adults showed no significant differences in the contact bioassay, but in the fumigant bioassay, cinnamaldehyde exhibited the highest toxicity (LD 50 , 0.91 μg/cm 3 ) followed by cinnamyl acetate and coumarin. Against S. oryzae , S. zeamais , S. cerealella, and P. interpunctella adults, cinnamaldehyde using two bioassays exhibited the most potent toxicities (LD 50 , 108.81 μg/cm 2 and 77.80 μg/cm 3 , 104.72 μg/cm 2 and 36.48 μg/cm 3 , 0.57 μg/cm 2 and 2.29 μg/cm 3 ), followed by coumarin and cinnamyl acetate in order. The results showed that cinnamaldehyde and the C. cassia oils could be effective values in the management of stored product pests.

Gamma dicalcium silicate (γ-2CaO∙SiO2, abbreviated as γ-C2S) is considered a potential candidate as a construction material owing to its high carbonation reactivity and consequent CO2 absorption. This study investigates the diffusion of CO2, a physical process, into hardened cement paste and the resulting carbonation, a chemical process. CO2 diffuses from a region of high concentration to one of a lower concentration, which is the inner core of the hardened cement. This study aimed to examine whether the diffusion of CO2 into the ordinary Portland cement (OPC)/γ-C2S composite paste followed the conventional laws of diffusion. We also studied the diffusion of CaCO3 to determine if carbonation products were formed in the pores and examined the capture of CO2. The paste specimens were prepared and subjected to CO2 in the carbonation chambers for varying periods. The results showed that the CaCO3 deposited in the pores affected the rate of diffusion of CO2 in the mortars and pastes, resulting in the densification of such bodies and a decreased rate of diffusion, leading to the shutdown of diffusion. The diffusion of CO2 in hardened cement pastes made from OPC and γ-C2S follows Fick’s second law, wherein there is a change in the concentration of CO2 diffusing at a particular distance with time.

Electroless plating is a solution‐based metal deposition technique through redox reaction, without external power. Due to its simple, versatile, and low‐cost process, coupled with high compatibility with various metals, electroless plating has become a key technology in many industrial fields such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Recent advances in electroless plating have enabled sophisticated plating on polymers and three‐dimensional surfaces, making it a prominent technology in emerging fields such as selective laser sintering, additive manufacturing, and wearable technology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of electroless plating, from its core theory to the latest research trends. Initially, the detailed mechanism of electroless plating is described, followed by an examination of the plating process. Then, the compositions of a typical electroless plating bath are introduced, and the critical operating parameters are categorized. Next, the evaluation factors of electroless plated surfaces are discussed, along with the current limitations of electroless plating technology. Finally, the various applications of electroless plating studied to date are presented, and future directions for this technology are suggested. This article provides a comprehensive overview of electroless plating, covering its basic mechanisms, bath composition, operating parameters, and metal layer characterization. It also addresses recent advancements, current limitations, and potential improvements, as well as the technology's applications in various industries. The review serves as a valuable guide for researchers and newcomers, offering both theoretical understanding and practical insights.

Essential oils of Coriandrum sativum were extracted by three different methods, including steam distillation (SDE), solvent (SE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), to determine their acaricidal and insecticidal properties against Plodia interpunctella , Sitotroga cerealella and Tyrophagus putrescentiae . The fumigant bioassay against P. interpunctella , S. cerealella and T. putrescentiae revealed the strongest activity (LD 50 9.38, 18.76 and 4.19 μg/cm 3 ) of oil obtained via SDE, followed by extraction via SE (LD 50  > 75.20, 21.11, and > 75.20 μg/cm 3 ) and SFE (LD 50  > 75.20, 27.36, and > 75.20 μg/cm 3 ). The contact bioassay against T. putrescentiae revealed the most potent activities of oil obtained via SDE (LD 50 19.29 μg/cm 2 ), followed by oil via SE and SFE. The chemical composition of C. sativum oils obtained by SDE, HE and SFE was analyzed by GC–MS. The C. sativum oil obtained by SDE contained linalool (66.80%) compared with oils obtained by SE and SFE (70.67–70.80%). However, camphor (6.46%) was detected in SDE but not in the other two extracts. Based on the LD 50 values of six major compounds derived from the three C. sativum oils against P. interpunctella , S. cerealella and T. putresceentiae , camphor was considered the most active (2.32, 19.31 and 3.24 μg/cm 3 , respectively) insecticide. The three values were about real camphor concentration in the oil via SDE. These results indicate that camphor contributes to the acaricidal and insecticidal activities of oil extracted via SDE of C. sativum seeds.

As the number of contact lens users increases, contact lens induced corneal infection is becoming more common. Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a type of those which is caused by Acanthamoeba species, and may cause severe ocular inflammation and visual loss. We evaluated whether Torreya nucifera ( T . nucifera) extract has an anti-amoebic effect and studied its mechanism of action on Acanthamoeba lugdunensis (A . lugdunensis) . Cell viability was tested using the alamarBlue ™ method, and the cell death mechanism was confirmed using the Tali ® Apoptosis Kit. The SYTOX ® Green assay was performed to check the plasma membrane permeability. The JC-1 dye was used to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential. A CellTiter-Glo ® Luminescent Assay was used to measure the adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) level. Morphological changes in the mitochondria were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cystic changes and a decrease in cell viability after treatment with T . nucifera were observed. Both apoptotic and necrotic cells were found in the Tali ® Apoptosis assay. There was no significant difference in plasma membrane permeability between the control and T . nucifera treated groups. The collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced ATP level in A . lugdunensis was confirmed in the groups treated with T . nucifera . Structural damage to the mitochondria was observed on TEM in the groups treated with T . nucifera . T . nucifera showed an anti-amoebic effect on A . lugdunensis , by inducing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Thus, it could be a future therapeutic agent for AK.