Stigmatization associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to be a complex issue and to extend into the later phases of the pandemic, which impairs social cohesion and relevant individuals' well-being. Identifying contributing factors and learning their roles in the stigmatization process may help tackle the problem. This study quantitatively assessed the severity of stigmatization against three different groups of people: people from major COVID-19 outbreak sites, those who had been quarantined, and healthcare workers; explored the factors associated with stigmatization within the frameworks of self-categorization theory and core social motives; and proposed solutions to resolve stigma. The cross-sectional online survey was carried out between April 21 and May 7, 2020, using a convenience sample, which yielded 1,388 valid responses. Employing data analysis methods like multivariate linear regression and moderation analysis, this study yields some main findings: (1) those from major COVID-19 outbreak sites received the highest level of stigma; (2) factors most closely associated with stigmatization, in descending order, are objectification and epidemic proximity in an autonomic aspect and fear of contracting COVID-19 in a controllable aspect; and (3) superordinate categorization is a buffering moderator in objectification–stigmatization relationship. These findings are important for further understanding COVID-19-related stigma, and they can be utilized to develop strategies to fight against relevant discrimination and bias. Specifically, reinforcing superordinate categorization by cultivating common in-group identity, such as volunteering and donating for containment of the pandemic, could reduce objectification and, thus, alleviate stigma.

The polymeric foamed composites were developed from the biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) reinforced by the biomass-based cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) via the melt-compounding treatment. As the highly-crystalline and rigid nanoparticles, the presence of CNC in the polyester matrix can simultaneously enhance the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the foamed composites. With the addition of 5 wt% CNC, the flexural strength and modulus of the PBS foamed composite increased by 50 and 62.9 % in comparison with those of the neat foamed material. Furthermore, the introduction of the CNC significantly affected the cells morphology, structure and stability during the foaming process, which facilitated the increase of the cell density and the homogeneous cell size and distribution of the foamed composites. With the addition of 5 wt% azodicarbonamide as the chemical blowing agent and 5 wt% CNC as the bionanofillers, the foamed composite showed the increased cell density of 7.1 9 10 5 cell/ cm 3 , which was 69.1 % higher than that of the neat foamed material. The mechanical enhancement of the foamed composites was attributed to the nanoreinforcement of the CNC served as the stress transferring phase, and meanwhile the promising improvement on the cells structure and stability for the foamed composites was ascribed to the effect of the CNC acted as the nucleation component.

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Glass ceramics (GCs) can be an ideal medium for dopants spatial isolation, avoiding adverse energy transfer process. Herein, spatial isolation strategy is proposed and fulfilled through dual-phases glass ceramics (GCs)....

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