Abstract: Forensic ethanol gas standards are used for, among other, the calibration and metrological verification of evidential breath analysers as described in OIML-R126. A correction for the amount fraction ethanol in forensic gas standards due to cylinder wall adsorption is described. The correction was developed for both the national primary measurement standards as well as for derived primary reference materials. A novel method based on the well-known decanting principle was developed and assessed using two suites of gas mixtures with ethanol amount fractions between 50 μmol mol⁻¹ to 1000 μmol mol⁻¹ in nitrogen. From the results, it is inferred that the initial adsorption loss is a function of the amount fraction and an interpolation formula was developed accordingly. To account for differences in adsorption between cylinders, a mixed effects model was used to describe the adsorption loss data with an excess standard deviation to account for between-cylinder effects.

Abstract: A series of Fe-ZSM-5 catalysts with varying Fe loadings were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. Their catalytic performance was evaluated for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with ammonia. The catalyst with a Fe:Al molar ratio of 1:1 demonstrated the highest NOx conversion (99.9%) and exhibited a broader operating temperature window (240–390°C) compared to catalysts with other Fe/Al ratios. Characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) confirmed that the incorporation of iron ions preserved the high crystallinity and MFI structure of the ZSM-5 zeolite. NH3-temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) profiles revealed the presence of two distinct acid sites at approximately 250 °C and 400 °C.

Abstract: The surface properties and electrical behavior of carbon-based materials can be effectively tailored by energetic ion irradiation. In this study, graphene oxide (GO), cyclic olefin copolymer foils (COC, Topas 112 and 011, respectively) were irradiated with 1 MeV Au ions using a 3 MV Tandetron accelerator at fluences of 1 × 10¹⁴, 1 × 10¹⁵, and 2.5 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm². The irradiation induced systematic modifications in surface chemistry, morphology, wettability, and electrical properties. Compositional changes before and after irradiation were investigated using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA), while surface morphology and roughness were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing a clear fluence-dependent evolution of nanoscale topography. The vibrational characteristics will be assessed through Raman spectroscopy. Surface wettability was evaluated by static contact angle measurements, and surface free energy was determined using the Owens–Wendt–Rabel–Kaelble (OWRK) method, showing a consistent decrease in water contact angle and an increase in surface free energy with increasing ion fluence in Topas 112/011 but not in GO. Electrical characterization demonstrated a pronounced fluence-dependent decrease in sheet resistivity across all investigated substrates. The results show that 1 MeV Au-ion irradiation enables controlled modification of both surface and electrical properties of carbon-based foils.

Abstract: We report the crystallization and single-crystal X-ray analysis of the monohydrate hy-drochloride salt of chloroquine, designed CQCl·H2O, an antimalarial drug (CQ) with the formula C₁₈H₂₆ClN₃. The crystal structure reveals a well-defined supramolecular architecture stabilized by an extensive hydrogen-bonding network involving CQH⁺ cations, chloride anions, and water molecules. Notably, this study provides the first crystallographic characterization of a monoprotonated chloroquine salt. Additionally, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of isolating pseudo-polymorphic forms of a commercially available CQ salt via heterogeneous crystallization.

Abstract: The term “pristine interface” is used for differentiating emulsions that consist of only water and oil with no surfactant from the Pickering emulsions, which are also surfactant-free but stabilized with colloidal particles. We review 23 papers dedicated to such emulsions prepared from a wide variety of liquids. We studied here the evolution of one of such emulsion, hexadecane-in-water at 4% vl, over a long period of time, from days to weeks. We discovered that the droplet size is growing with time with the rate that depends on mixing conditions, which supports a coalescence hypothesis. However, this coalescence is unusual because the size reaches a certain constant value, which contradicts typical coalescence behavior. In order to explain this peculiarity, we employ a theoretical model that was developed for pristine nano-bubbles stability. We hypothesize the existence of a layer of structured water molecules at the interface, following Eastoe and Ellis (Adv in Colloid and Interface Sci., 134-135, 89-95, 2007) and many other prominent scientists. Then we point out that the Electric Double Layer exerts a force on the water dipole moments in this layer (dielectrostatic force) that compensates Kelvin’s pressure. The droplet size calculated using this model is close to the measured sizes. The second factor associated with this layer is the repulsion of the water dipole moments, which we show can compensate for surface tension parallel to the interface. After ruling out alternative hypotheses with our data, we conclude that the model suggested for explaining the stability of nano-bubbles is also consistent with our results for these “pristine emulsions”.

Abstract:

Dendrobium officinale (DO) is a traditional medicinal and edible plant whose polysaccharides help modulate gastrointestinal and metabolic functions. Fresh DO is commonly processed into “Fengdou” to prolong shelf life, but the effects of this processing on polysaccharide structure and bioactivity remain unclear. In this study, polysaccharides from fresh DO (FDOP) and Fengdou (DDOP) were isolated, purified, and comparatively characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis indicated similar functional groups and O-acetylated pyranosyl structures in both polysaccharides. Based on monosaccharide composition, methylation, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses, both samples were identified as mannose-glucose heteropolysaccharides. However, FDOP was characterized by a higher mannose-to-glucose ratio (79.77:19.57) and molecular weight (187.1 kDa), as well as a more structurally diversified →4-linked backbone, whereas DDOP contained more glucose (68.74:30.94) and exhibited a lower molecular weight (125.1 kDa) and simplified backbone. In zebrafish models, both polysaccharides were found to alleviate loperamide-induced constipation and reduce lipid accumulation. DDOP showed stronger constipation-relieving activity, whereas FDOP exerted more pronounced hypolipidaemic effects, which may be attributed to its higher molecular weight, mannose enrichment, and more complex backbone structure. These findings provide a structural basis and theoretical support for developing DO-derived polysaccharides as functional food ingredients targeting constipation and dyslipidaemia.

Abstract: In this study, ferulated arabinoxylans (FAXs) were extracted from maize bran by optimizing al-kaline extraction method and explored their purification, identification and antioxidant potential. The current results showed that FAXs yield ranged from 14.7 to 18.9 % from maize bran. It was found that the FAXs were mainly composed neutral sugars including xylose (21–44%), arabinose (12–30%), galactose (2.7-7.4%) and glucose (4.6–9.4%), with an A/X ratio of 0.68–0.74. In addition, FAXs extracts showed significantly (p < 0.05) high content of ferulic acid in bound form as com-pared to free form. Furthermore, biopolymers FAXs possess powerful radical scavenging prop-erties due to their polyphenolic content and structural characteristics. FTIR spectra of maize bran extracted FAXs exhibited the presence of polysaccharide compounds. The corresponding bands were related to glycosidic linkage, which is assigned to the C-OH bend vibration in FAX. In functional characteristics, FAXs showed high water holding capacity, emulsion properties and emulsion stability in all treatments. In current research, FAXs have been comprehensively char-acterized, and several promising applications across the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries can be explored based on these findings.

Abstract: In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 44 new drugs, reflecting a slight decrease compared to previous years but maintaining the overall trends in pharmaceutical inno-vation. Biologics accounted for 25% of approvals, including eight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), two antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), and one fusion protein, with cancer remaining the primary therapeutic focus. TIDES, comprising three oligonucleotides and one peptide, continued to con-solidate their presence in the market, with the three oligonucleotides featuring N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) for liver-targeted delivery. Small molecules dominate the re-mainder, with a high prevalence of N-aromatic moieties and fluorine atoms present in most of the molecules.. Peptide manufacturing and sustainability concerns, including PFAS usage, remain key challenges. Despite these advances, the high cost of innovative therapies limits access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This report provides a structural and chemical analysis of the newly approved drugs, highlighting trends in molecular design, therapeutic areas, and technolog-ical innovations shaping modern drug discovery.

Abstract:

Transparent materials are highly desirable for multiple optical devices, composite armours, smartphone screens and can be used as host materials for solid-state lasers. However, achieving transparency in composite materials is challenging due to the difference in refractive indices between the matrix and the fillers. The authors investigate the impact of various factors, including particle size, film thickness, and volume fraction, on the optical properties of epoxy-based nanocomposites. Using Rayleigh scattering theory, they assess the effect of different materials and manufacturing parameters on the transmittance of nanocomposites. Their findings suggest that a theoretical transmittance of over 90% can be achieved by using particle sizes less than 10 nm and film thicknesses less than 1 µm.

Abstract:

The valorization of wine by-products aligns with circular bioeconomy principles. This study investigates the ultrasound-assisted aqueous extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds and cell wall polysaccharides from Syrah grape stems (Vitis vinifera L.) to produce cellulose-rich gels with enhanced antioxidant properties. Extractions were performed at three temperatures (10, 20, and 50 °C) and three ultrasonic power densities (120, 206, and 337 W/L), and compared to conventional extraction (CE, 200 rpm). The results demonstrated that UAE significantly accelerated the extraction kinetics for total phenolics (TP), flavonols, and antioxidant capacity (ABTS, FRAP), achieving up to a 3.1-fold increase in TP yield at 20°C. Notably, UAE at 337 W/L and 20 °C produced antioxidant levels equivalent to those obtained by CE at 50 °C, enabling high efficiency at lower, compound-preserving temperatures. Carbohydrate analysis revealed that the extracts were inherently "cellulose-rich" (glucose ~49–52 mol%), with co-extracted pectins and hemicelluloses forming a composite hydrogel matrix. While total polysaccharide yield was maximized at 10 °C, UAE's primary role was the structural modification of polymers rather than increasing bulk yield. The process reduced extraction times by 3- to over 6-fold to achieve equivalent bioactive yields compared to CE. This work establishes UAE with water as a green, efficient strategy for the integrated, one-step recovery of antioxidant phenolics and gel-forming polysaccharides from grape stems, transforming this underutilized residue into a multifunctional, value-added ingredient for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Abstract: Owing to their outstanding thermal and mechanical properties, polyimides (PIs), polyamides (PAs), and poly(amide-imides) (PAIs) are essential for developing and manufacturing modern high-tech products, including electroactive ones. Despite their large-scale production for diverse applications, the synthesis of these polymers traditionally relies on highly toxic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and m-cresol. This work investigates the possibility of replacing these hazardous solvents with a more sustainable and "green" alternative, N-butyl-2-pyrrolidone (NBP). We have thoroughly studied and analyzed the synthesis of various PIs, PAs, and PAIs via one- and two-step polycondensation of tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides with diamines, low-temperature polycondensation of terephthaloyl chloride with diamines, and low-temperature polycondensation of tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides and terephthaloyl chloride with diamines, respectively. Our results demonstrate that substituting NBP for NMP presents distinct characteristics and outcomes for each process. By optimizing the reaction conditions, we were able to obtain high-molecular-weight products (Mn=37-346 kDa; Mw=133-537 kDa) for all polymer classes studied. Thus, this work establishes NBP as a suitable and promising solvent for synthesizing PIs, PAs, and PAIs with diverse chemical structures and tunable molecular weight characteristics.

Abstract:

Glasses with compositions 52.5B₂O₃:12.5SiO₂:25La₂O₃:5CaO:5ZnO:0.5Eu₂O₃ and50B₂O₃:10SiO₂:25La₂O₃:5CaO:5ZnO:5WO₃:0.5Eu₂O₃ (mol%) were prepared by conventional melt-quenching method and investigated by X-ray diffraction analyses, DSC analysis, DR-UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Physical properties like density, molar volume, oxygen molar volume and oxygen packing density were also determined. Glasses are characterized with high glass transition temperature (over 650 °C). DR-UV-Vis spectroscopy results indicate that the tungstate ions incorporate into the base borosilicate glass as tetrahedral WO₄ groups. The lower band gap energy values show that the introduction of WO₃ into the base borosilicate glass increases the number of non-bridging oxygen species in the glass structure. The emission intensity of the Eu³⁺ ion increases with the introduction of WO₃ due to the occurrence of non-radiative energy transfer from the tungstate groups to the active ion. The most intense luminescence peak observed at 612 nm suggest that the glasses are potential materials for red emission.

Abstract:

This study reports the fabrication of chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose (C/M) nanocomposites by electrolyte gelation-spray drying and the evaluation of their antibacterial performance as carriers for the antibiotic ampicillin. Chitosan (C), a cationic biopolymer derived from chitin, was combined with the anionic polysaccharide carboxymethyl cellulose (M) at different mass ratios to form stable nanocomposites via electrostatic interactions and then collected by a spraying dryer. The resulting particles exhibited mean diameters ranging from 800 to 1500 nm and zeta potentials varying from +90 to −40 mV, depending on the C:M ratio. The optimal formulation (C:M = 2:1 ratio) achieved a high recovery yield (71.1%) and ampicillin encapsulation efficiency EE (82.4%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions among C:M, and ampicillin within the nanocomposite matrix. The nano-microcomposites demonstrated controlled ampicillin release and pronounced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 3.2 µg/mL and 5.3 µg/mL, respectively, which were lower than those of free ampicillin. These results indicate that the chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose nano-microcomposites are promising, eco-friendly carriers for antibiotic delivery and antibacterial applications.

Abstract: This study aims development of wood-based particleboard contributing to resource, environmental and health impact issues. Conventional particleboard industry uses synthetic, mostly formaldehyde-based adhesives concerning environmental, health and utilization risks. Due to the increase of prices, restrictions and competition in wood processing industry the issue of biomass resources for particleboard production gains another primary importance. Responding to the outlined issues the study investigates suitability of available sawdust resources from production residues of cellular wood materials and recycled particleboards combined with natural suberinic acids as binder derived from birch outer bark. Impact of furnish structure, binder content (15–21%), pressing temperature (190–220 ℃), pressing rate (0.9–1.7 min/mm) and density (650–850 kg/m3) on the obtained particleboard properties was evaluated. Results show that it is possible to achieve requirement values proposed for boards for use as interior fitments including furniture according to EN 312, Type P2 for thickness swelling (≤ 17%) and internal bonding (≥ 0.40 N/mm2). The bending properties of the obtained particleboards are very close to the requirement values (MOE ≥ 1800 N/mm2, MOR ≥ 11 N/mm2), suggesting for the further improvement at the target density levels. Furnish structure, board thickness, density and pressing temperature are the most influencing factors on the achieved properties.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is the exploration of the catalytic performance of ZSM-5 zeolite produced from iron rich fly-ash without further addition of iron sites, in the removal of paracetamol through heterogenous Fenton reaction. The structural and textural characterization by powder X-ray diffraction and N2 adsorption isotherms showed that pure ZSM-5 phase was synthesized, but lower crystallinity and textural parameters were obtained when confronting with commercial ZSM-5. The XPS analysis revealed the presence of significant amounts of iron as well as yttrium, which increased the electronic properties of the samples surface, when compared with iron impregnated commercial ZSM-5. The catalytic reaction was followed through UV-spectroscopy and kinetic models were applied to the data, with the best fit obtained for pseudo-first-order model. All fly ash-based zeolites present enhanced paracetamol removal when compared with commercial iron loaded ZSM-5 which may be attributed to the more disorganized structure, able to accommodate large paracetamol species (dimers). On the other hand, the effect of yttrium on the electronic properties of iron sites may increase the formation of ●OH radicals, thus increasing the removal rate of paracetamol.

Abstract: CAD/CAM hybrid ceramic materials have been increasingly used in restorative dentistry due to their ability to combine ceramic strength with the handling advantages of composite resins. The present study focused on how surface treatment protocols and commonly used immersion solutions affect the color stability and surface roughness of these materials. For this purpose, 256 specimens were fabricated from Vita Enamic, Lava Ultimate, Cerasmart, and Shofu Block HC. Following surface treatment using either mechanical polishing or Optiglaze, the specimens were immersed in coffee, red wine, cola, or distilled water for 14 days. Color difference (ΔE₀₀) and surface roughness (Ra) were measured at baseline and after 7 and 14 days. Data were analyzed using three-way repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). Polymer matrix composition and surface treatment significantly influenced color stability and surface roughness (p < 0.05). Coffee and red wine caused the greatest discoloration, particularly in Bis-GMA- and TEGDMA-containing materials, while Cerasmart demonstrated the highest color stability. Although Optiglaze reduced surface roughness, it was associated with increased color change over time. These results emphasize the role of polymer composition and surface treatment in the esthetic performance of hybrid ceramic CAD/CAM materials.

Abstract: Measurement models that have a chemical composition as one of the arguments require special attention when used with the law of propagation of uncertainty from the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. The constraint that the amount fractions in a composition add exactly to unity does not only affect the covariance matrix associated with the composition, but also impacts the differentiation of the measurement model to obtain the expressions and values of the sensitivity coefficients. Differentiating the measurement model with respect to each variable individually is not possible as it involves evaluating the model for infeasible inputs, leading to an undefined output. In this work, a numerical method for constrained partial derivatives is presented, enabling using the law of propagation of uncertainty for measurement models with compositions as one of their arguments. The numerical method enables treating the measurement model as a black box and using it with measurement models in the form an algorithm. The numerical method is demonstrated by showing how the uncertainty associated with composition, temperature and pressure can be propagated through an equation of state, in this case the GERG-2008 equation of state. It is shown that this propagation can be done in a few simple steps, requiring only a valid implementation of the measurement model that provides an output value for given input quantities. The numerical differentiation method applies in principle to all differentiable functions of a composition.

Abstract: Growing global populations and the rapid increase in older adults are driving healthcare costs upward. In response, the healthcare system is shifting toward models that allow for continuous monitoring of individuals without requiring hospital ad-mission. Advances in sensing technologies, embedded systems, wireless communica-tion, nanotechnology, and device miniaturization have made it possible to develop smart systems that continuously track human activity. Wearable sensors can monitor physiological indicators and other symptoms, helping to detect unusual or unexpected events. This enables timely assistance when it is needed most. This paper outlines these challenges and reviews recent developments in wearable sensor–based human activity monitoring systems. The focus is on health monitoring applications, including relevant biomarkers, wearable and implantable sensors, estab-lished sensor technologies currently used in healthcare, and the future prospects and challenges involved in researching, developing, and applying these sensors to support widespread use in human health monitoring.

Abstract:

Pesticide contamination poses significant threats to both humans and the environment, with residues frequently detected in surface waters worldwide. This study compares the effectiveness of passive samplers (POCIS and Chemcatcher), and grab sampling coupled with Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) and Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) for monitoring pesticides in surface waters. The comparative study was conducted at three sites in Victoria, Australia, representing different land uses. A total of 230 pesticides were screened, with 79 different pesticides detected overall. SBSE extracted the highest number of pesticides from grab samples, followed by SPE and passive samplers. The study highlights the complementarity of different sampling and extraction techniques in detecting a wide range of pesticides. The study also explores the suitability of these techniques for citizen science applications, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate methods based on specific research objectives and available resources. The findings underscore the need for a tiered approach, combining passive samplers for initial screening and grab sampling for quantitative analysis, to develop a robust monitoring strategy for protecting water quality.

Abstract: Proteins with additives, especially in small quantities, are of great interest as a subject of a study. Machine learning approaches implemented to Raman spectroscopy data could provide an insight into chemical structure of such mixtures or conjugates. Although, de-cision tree model could be powerful in solving either classification or regression task and could provide accessible predictions, it is prone to overfitting. Ensemble models that implement several decision trees could overcome the determined problem. Five different model types are discussed: RandomForest, GradientBoosting, AdaBoost, Voting, and Stacking. Raman spectroscopy data of whey protein isolate (5 wt. %) with different amounts of hyaluronic acid (0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt. %) were used as datasets. Optimiza-tion established that ensembles of 200 decision trees with a maximum depth of four were optimal. AdaBoostClassifier found to be the most efficient in finding differences between whey protein isolate and its conjugates with hyaluronic acid: 99.5% accuracy, 100% sen-sitivity, and 98.0% specificity. Stacking of RandomForest, GradientBoosting, and Ada-Boost regressors with final estimator of RidgeCV was the most effective approach in the regression task (R2 = 0.963). According to the feature importance plots, the Raman bands that were most influential in predicting the results were 1003 cm-1 (phenylalanine, ring breath), 1206 cm-1 (C–C stretching), 1240 cm-1 (amide III (β-sheet), N−H in-plane bend, C−N stretch), and 1399 cm-1 (aspartic and glutamic acids, C=O stretch of COO−).