Lithium-doped silk fibroin films for application in electrochromic devices

Silk fibroin (SF) is a commonly available natural biopolymer produced in specialized glands of arthropods, with a long history of use in textile production and also in health cares. The exceptional intrinsic properties of these fibers, such as self-assembly, machinability, biocompatibility, biodegradation or non-toxicity, offer a wide range of exciting opportunities [1]. It has long been recognized that silk can be a rich source of inspiration for designing new materials with tailored properties, enhanced performance and high added value for targeted applications, opening exciting new prospects in the domain of materials science and related technological fields, including bio-friendly integration, miniaturization and multifunctionalization. In recent years it has been demonstrated that fibroin is an excellent material for active components in optics and photonics devices. Progress in new technological fields such as optics, photonics and electronics are emerging [2,3]. The incorporation of polymer electrolytes as components of various devices (advanced batteries, smart windows, displays and supercapacitors) offers significant advantages with respect to traditional electrolytes, including enhanced reliability and improved safety. SF films are particularly attractive in this context. They have near-perfect transparency across the VIS range, surface flatness (together with outstanding mechanical robustness), ability to replicate patterned substrates and their thickness may be easily tailored from a few nanometers to hundreds of micrometers through spin-casting of a silk solution into subtract. Moreover, fibroin can be added to other biocomponents or salts in order to modify the biomaterial properties leading to optimized and total different functions. Preliminary tests performed with a prototype electrochromic device (ECD) incorporating SF films doped with lithium triflate and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiTFSI and LiBF4, respectively) as electrolyte and WO3 as cathodic electrochromic layer, are extremely encouraging. Aiming to evaluate the performance of the ion conducting SF membranes doped with LiTFSI and LiBF4 (SF-Li), small ECDs with glass/ITO/WO3/SF-Li/CeO2-TiO2/ITO/glass configuration were assembled and characterized. The device exhibited, after 4500 cycles, the insertion of charge at -3.0 V reached –1.1 mC.cm-2 in 15 s. After 4500 cycles the window glass-staining, glass/ITO/WO3/Fibrin-Li salts electrolyte/CeO2-TiO2/ITO/glass configuration was reversible and featured a T 8 % at λ = 686 n

Structural, morphological, ionic conductivity, and thermal properties of pectin-based polymer electrolytes

New polymer electrolytes (PEs), potentially interesting for solid-state electrochemical devices applications, were synthesized by a solvent casting method using pectin and ionic liquid (IL) N,N,N-trimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([N1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2]. The resulting electrolytes besides being moderately homogenous and thermally stable below 155 ºC, they also exhibited good mechanical properties. The SPE membranes were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and complex impedance spectroscopy.This work was supported by FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Projects PEST-C/QUI/UI0686/2013, grants FCT Investigator contract (J.M.S.S.E.). The authors are also indebted to CNPq (grant 201820/2014-5), FAPESP, and CAPES for the financial support given to this research. M.M. Silva acknowledges CNPq (PVE grant 406617/2013-9) for the mobility grant provided by these institutions. The authors are also acknowledges to Dra. Ivana for AFM data.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

LITHIUM-DOPED SILK FIBROIN FILMS FOR APPLICATION IN ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES

Abstract Silk fibroin (SF) is a commonly available natural biopolymer produced in specialized glands of arthropods, with a long history of use in textile production and also in health cares. The exceptional intrinsic properties of these fibers, such as self-assembly, machinability, biocompatibility, biodegradation or non-toxicity, offer a wide range of exciting opportunitie

How Well Do Couples Care When They Are Expecting Their First Child? Family and Dyadic Predictors of Parental Sensitivity in Expectant Couples

Belsky's Process Model points to family-of-origin (especially experiences of mistreatment in childhood) as well as personality and marital relations as determinants of parenting quality, including parental sensitive responsiveness. Parental sensitivity might be intuitively developed during pregnancy and affects perinatal mental health. However, there is a lack of studies investigating effects of family-of-origin and relationship perceptions on expectant couples' parental sensitive responsiveness. The aim of the presented study was to test mediation and moderation effects of perceived partner's empathic concern and retrospectively assessed abuse experienced in childhood on sensitive parental responsiveness operationalized as caretaking behaviors and emotional reactions to a crying life-like doll. One hundred eleven expectant couples (N = 222; age: Mwomen = 28.4 years, SD = 3.03; age: Mmen = 29.2 years, SD = 3.31; relationship duration: Myears = 6.8, SD = 3.43; gestational week: M = 31.3, SD = 4.58) assessed the extent to which they experienced physical and emotional abuse from their parents in childhood and rated their current partner's empathic concern. In the experimental procedure, couples reacted to a crying life-like doll and were assessed by trained psychologists using the modified Ainsworth Sensitivity Scale to measure couples' sensitive responsiveness. The results confirmed a significant mediational effect of perceived women's (and not men's) empathic concern for the relationship between the reported experience of abuse in family-

When birth is not as expected: a systematic review of the impact of a mismatch between expectations and experiences.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and childbirth are significant events in women's lives and most women have expectations or plans for how they hope their labour and birth will go. It is possible that strong expectations about labour and birth lead to dissatisfaction or other negative outcomes if these expectations are not met, but it is not clear if this is the case. The aim was therefore to synthesise prospective studies in order to understand whether unmet birth expectations are associated with adverse outcomes for women, their partners and their infants. METHOD: Searches were carried out in Academic Search Complete; CINAHL; Medline; PsycINFO, PsychArticles, PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Forward and backward searches were also completed. Studies were included if they reported prospective empirical research that examined the association between a mismatch in birth expectations/experience and postnatal outcomes in women, their children and/or their partners. Data were synthesised qualitatively using a narrative approach where study characteristics, context and methodological quality were extracted and summarised and then the differences and similarities among studies were used to draw conclusions. RESULTS: Eleven quantitative studies were identified for inclusion from nine countries. A mismatch between birth expectations and experiences was associated with reduced birth satisfaction. Three studies found a link between a mismatch and the development of postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The evidence was inconsistent for postnatal depression, and fear of childbirth. Only one study looked at physical outcomes in the form of health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: A mismatch between birth expectations and experiences is associated with birth satisfaction and it may increase the risk of developing postnatal PTSD. However, it is not clear whether a mismatch is associated with other postnatal mental health conditions. Further prospective research is needed to examine gaps in knowledge and provide standardised methods of measuring childbirth expectations-experiences mismatch. To ensure women's expectations are met, and therefore experience a satisfying birth experience, maternity providers should provide sensitive care, which acknowledges women's needs and preferences, is based on open and clear communication, is delivered as early in pregnancy as possible, and enables women to make their own decisions about care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42020191081

Attachment goes to court: child protection and custody issues

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration

El Apego Va a Juicio: Problemas de Custodia y Protección Infantil1

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. This article is divided into two parts. In the first part, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration

Attachment goes to court: child protection and custody issues

Attachment theory and research are drawn upon in many applied settings, including family courts, but misunderstandings are widespread and sometimes result in misapplications. The aim of this consensus statement is, therefore, to enhance understanding, counter misinformation, and steer family-court utilisation of attachment theory in a supportive, evidence-based direction, especially with regard to child protection and child custody decision-making. The article is divided into two parts. In the first, we address problems related to the use of attachment theory and research in family courts, and discuss reasons for these problems. To this end, we examine family court applications of attachment theory in the current context of the best-interest-of-the-child standard, discuss misunderstandings regarding attachment theory, and identify factors that have hindered accurate implementation. In the second part, we provide recommendations for the application of attachment theory and research. To this end, we set out three attachment principles: the child’s need for familiar, non-abusive caregivers; the value of continuity of good-enough care; and the benefits of networks of attachment relationships. We also discuss the suitability of assessments of attachment quality and caregiving behaviour to inform family court decision-making. We conclude that assessments of caregiver behaviour should take center stage. Although there is dissensus among us regarding the use of assessments of attachment quality to inform child custody and child-protection decisions, such assessments are currently most suitable for targeting and directing supportive interventions. Finally, we provide directions to guide future interdisciplinary research collaboration

Eco-friendly luminescent hybrid materials based on EuIII and LiI co-doped chitosan

Biopolymer-based materials have been of particular interest as alternatives do synthetic polymers due to their low toxicity, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Among them, chitosan is one of the most studied ones and has recently been investigated for the application as solid state polymer electrolytes. Furthermore, it can serve as a host for luminescent species such as rare earth ions, giving rise to materials with increased functionality, of particular interest for electrochemical devices. In this study, we investigate chitosan based luminescent materials doped wit Eu3+ and Li+ triflate salts from the structural, photophysical and conductivity points of view. Because the host presents a broad emission band in the blue to green, while Eu3+ emits in the red, fine tuning of emission colour and/or generation of white light is possible by optimizing composition and excitation scheme. Europium lifetimes (5D0) are in the range 270 – 350 µs and quantum yields are as high as 2%. Although Li+ does not interfere with the luminescent properties, it grants ion-conducting properties to the material suggesting that a combination of both properties could be further explored in multifunctional device.We are grateful to the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and FEDER (PEstC/QUI/UI0686/2013) and program POPH/FSE, grant SFRH/BD/97232/2013 (R. Alves), for financial support of this work. The authors are also grateful to FAPESP (CEPID 2013/07793-6 and PD fellowship 2013/24727-7), and CNPQ (Universal Project 479672/2012-1) and CAPES for the financial support. M. M. Silva acknowledges CNPq (PVE grant 406617/2013-9), for the mobility grant provided by this institution. The help from Dr. Reza Dousti in measuring quantum yields is greatly appreciated

Solid polymer electrolytes based on chitosan and europium triflate

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) were obtained from chitosan plasticized with glycerol and contained europium (III) trifluoromethanesulfonate salt. The transparent samples were characterized by thermal analysis (DSC and TGA), impedance spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The sample with 55.34 wt.% of europium triflate showed the best ionic conductivity of 1.52 × 10−6 and 7.66 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 30°C and 80°C, respectively. The thermal analysis revealed that the degradation started at around 130–145°C and the weight loss ranged from 20 to 40%. The DSC of the samples showed no Tg, but only a large endothermic peak that was centered between 160 and 200 °C. The EPR analysis showed a broadening of the EPR resonance lines with increasing europium contents in the chitosan membranes due to the magnetic dipole–dipole coupling and spin–spin exchange between the Eu2+ ions. Moreover, the electrolytes based on chitosan and europium triflate presented good flexibility, homogeneity, and transparency.We are grateful to the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and FEDER (PEst-C/QUI/UI0686/2013) and program POPH/FSE for a grant SFRH/BD/97232/2013 (R. Alves) for financial support of this work. The authors are also grateful to FAPESP, CNPq and CAPES for financial support. M. M. Silva acknowledges CNPq (PVE grant 406617/2013-9) for the mobility grant provided by this institution