Absorbance Values Research Articles

Detailed Profiling of Protein Corona Formed by Polydopamine Nanoparticles in Human Plasma.

The term protein corona (PC) indicates proteins adsorbed onto the surface of nanostructures exposed to biological media such as blood or serum. The analysis of the composition, evolution, and effect of the PC complexed with nanomaterials gained attention in recent years due to the importance of these parameters in determining the biological fate of nanostructures. In particular, the PC represents the first component of a nanomaterial interfacing with biological structures, dictating parameters such as nanoparticle internalization, immune response, bioavailability, and even toxicity. Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDNPs), obtained through the polymerization of dopamine, are "smart" materials characterized by high biocompatibility, high antioxidant capacities, high tunability and surface reactivity, biodegradability, and the ability to act as photothermal conversion agents when irradiated with a near-infrared (NIR) light source. Despite many interesting applications of PDNPs are currently described in the scientific literature, there is still no comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of PC formation consequent to the exposure of these nanomaterials to biological media. Moreover, to date, the investigation of the effects of light irradiation of photothermally active nanomaterials on the composition and evolution of the associated PC has been extremely limited. With this work, we aim to provide for the first time an analysis of the phenomenon of PC formation associated with PDNPs, before and after NIR light stimulation. We characterized the PC formed following exposure to human plasma and analyzed the effects of several parameters on the overall PC composition and quantity, such as the PDNP size, presence of a surface functionalization, exposure time, and irradiation with an NIR laser, demonstrating that these parameters play a pivotal role in the resulting PC composition. Eventually, we showed that PDNPs exposed to human plasma have significantly different properties with respect to bare PDNPs, showing higher internalization rates in human glioblastoma cells, a higher light absorption value, and enhanced photothermal conversion abilities.

Ballistic performance analysis of PBO fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites through resin matrix rigidity and toughness modulation

AbstractThe rigidity and toughness of the resin matrix significantly influence the impact resistance of ballistic composites. However, the relationship between the properties of the resin matrix and the ballistic performance of the composites remains inadequately defined. In this study, the ballistic performance of composites with various matrix resins was investigated to assess how matrix toughness affects energy absorption. A series of epoxy resins exhibiting different rigidity and toughness were combined with PBO (poly‐p‐phenyl‐2,6‐benzobisoxazole) fibers, and their quasi‐static mechanical properties were evaluated to analyze their effectiveness in resisting ballistic impacts. In ballistic test, the brittle matrix composite demonstrated concentrated fiber breakage and localized damage, while the toughened matrix composite exhibited more dispersed damage characterized by reduced fiber breakage and minimal delamination, suggesting enhanced energy absorption via deformation within the matrix. Compared with the specific energy absorption value of the brittle matrix composite material, which is only 9.28 Jm2/kg, the specific energy absorption value of the tough matrix composite material has increased by 125% to 20.88 Jm2/kg. These findings underscore the critical role that matrix toughness plays in improving ballistic‐resistant performance by facilitating better energy distribution while mitigating fiber damage.Highlights Matrix toughness significantly enhances ballistic energy absorption in composites. Toughened matrix reduces fiber breakage and delamination under ballistic impact. Toughened matrix composite achieves a 125% higher specific energy absorption. Findings offer insights for designing high‐performance ballistic‐resistant materials.

Optical and Structural Properties of Rutile Nanoparticles Prepared Via Ball Milling

This study centered on determining the optical characteristics of Rutile nanoparticles and synthesizing them using a ball milling process. A top-down approach was utilized to obtain nanoparticles from the bulk materials utilizing high intensity ball milling technique. The crystalline size of the nanoparticle was ascertained using the Debye-Scherer formula. The Energy Band gap, optical conductivity, extinction coefficient, transmittance, and refractive index were among the optical characteristics that were identified. The average crystalline size obtained, was 87.440 nm. The computed dislocation density varied between (0.109x10-3 to 0.0359x10-3 ) nm-2. As the wavelength range shifted from the ultraviolet to the visible and near-infrared regions, the absorbance value was observed to decrease simultaneously. The refractive index of the particle showed a uniform result from 1eV to 4eV but sharply increased at 4.1eV and also dropped sharply at 4.3eV and then maintained a uniform outcome as the photon energy increased. The transmittance value was also observed to gradually increase from the ultraviolet region, to the visible region, hence reaching 99.9% in the near-infrared region. Furthermore, the band energy gap was obtained to be 3.88 eV. The unique properties of the Rutile nanoparticles revealed potential uses in photovoltaic and optoelectronic systems.

Artificial neural networks classification of s-band absorption performance in eco-friendly microwave absorbers

Microwave absorbers are essential for applications such as radar stealth and electromagnetic compatibility. Nevertheless, traditional materials encounter obstacles related to cost and sustainability, which has led to the exploration of new options such as materials derived from agricultural waste. This study focuses on the classification challenge of evaluating the absorption performance of eco-friendly microwave absorbers in the S-band (2 to 4 GHz) frequency. Three multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithms, namely levenberg marquardt (LM), resilient backpropagation (RBP) and scale conjugate gradient (SCG) are assessed for classification accuracy. The dataset consists of 135 absorption performance values of microwave absorbers that were taken from experimental measurements using the naval research laboratory (NRL) arch free. The MLP algorithms will be divided into three divisions, which are training, validation and testing, evaluating important criteria such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity and specificity. The performance of three types of algorithms will be compared using two basic inputs: the absorption values and the single slot sizes. The RBP algorithm achieved 100% accuracy, and a lower mean squared error (MSE) of 0.02500 compared to the LM and SCG. This study provides valuable insights for designing better microwave absorbers and highlights the commercial potential of agricultural waste materials in such applications.

High-yield soluble production of recombinant β-keratin from Gallus gallus feathers using an experimental design approach.

The search for new non-animal textile materials has increased yearly as environmental awareness and veganism continue to spread, driving the development of greener fabrics. Concurrently, β-keratin, a fibrous, resistant, and insoluble protein shows great potential for producing innovative biomaterials. However, β-keratin is naturally abundant in animal feathers. Therefore, the recombinant production of β-keratin from Gallus gallus feathers was proposed using a strategy of parallel expression in different vectors. Statistical tools of experimental design were employed to improve the production of soluble biosynthetic keratin. It was shown that β-keratins fused to His6MBP had better performance regarding soluble expression. In addition, the optimized regions for the values of induction temperature, induction time, and induction absorbance were obtained. As a result, a yield of 185.3 ± 1.4 mg/L of soluble His6MBP-Chr2.FK4 was achieved, representing the highest yield reported to date.

Non-Destructive Estimation of Moisture Percentage in Fired Red Brick Using Digital Image Processing and Artificial Intelligence

In this study, we present a novel methodology for reducing uncertainties in detecting high-permeability regions in bricks by integrating brick imagery, color theory, unsupervised learning, and petrophysical concepts. Leveraging smartphone technology, our methodology identifies and analyzes moisture regions in red bricks, demonstrating its potential as a cost-effective tool for moisture characterization. This approach complements specialized moisture detection devices, highlighting the versatility of existing technology. Applied within the context of traditional red brick manufacturing in San Agustín Yatareni, Oaxaca, México, our results show that this methodology effectively identifies moisture-related anomalies, with water absorption values verified according to the NMX-C-404-ONNCCE-2012 and NMX-C-037-ONNCCE-2013 Mexican standards. We observed a significant inverse correlation between luminosity and moisture content, and a direct correlation between hue and moisture content. These findings suggest a reliable, non-invasive indicator of moisture levels, potentially improving the longevity of construction materials. The broader applicability of this approach in construction material analysis, particularly for bricks incorporating organic fibers, underscores its value as a tool for quality control. Furthermore, the integration of smartphone technology and interdisciplinary techniques contributes to advancing sustainable construction practices and improving material durability.

Design And Evaluation of Fexofenadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets For Rapid Dissolution

Abstract: This study aims to formulate and evaluate Fexofenadine Oral Disintegration Tablets (ODTs), focusing on overcoming patient compliance issues related to taste and swallowing difficulties, especially in elderly and pediatric patients. Fexofenadine, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, is used to enhance rapid dissolution, absorption, and bioavailability. Objectives included preparing tablets using direct compression and evaluating formulations through in-vitro tests such as weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, drug content, wetting time, dispersion time, disintegration time, and dissolution studies. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the presence of principal peaks and interactions between drugs and polymers. Results indicated a strong correlation (r = 0.998) between fexofenadine concentration and absorbance values. Tablets exhibited weight and thickness within pharmacoeial limits, with hardness, friability, and drug content meeting acceptable standards. Wetting time and water absorption ratio varied among formulations, with Cross povidone and Croscarmellose sodium showing superior performance. Disintegration times ranged from 17.66±0.51 to 171.83±1.16 seconds, with tablet formulations containing Cross povidone or combinations of super disintegrants (CP + CCS, CP + SSG) demonstrating rapid disintegration. In-vitro dispersion and dissolution studies reaffirmed these findings, suggesting these ODT formulations can significantly improve patient adherence, providing a quick onset of action and enhanced drug bioavailability. Further studies are recommended to establish extended in vivo performance and safety profiles, supporting the efficacy of fexofenadine ODTs in clinical settings.

Design of Perlite Based Thermal Insulation Plate and Determination of its Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties

According to the current fire regulations in Turkey, the use of insulation materials such as EPS, which are commonly employed in building insulation, is limited to buildings up to 28.5 m in height. The regulations mandate the use of Class A fire-resistant thermal insulation materials in high-rise buildings. However, these materials may present challenges in terms of application and sustainability. This study aims to develop a perlite-based thermal insulation board that is Class A fire-resistant, competitive with traditional insulation materials, and possesses optimal physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. In the production of the specimens, expanded perlite, liquid sodium silicate, and silicon powder were used, and tests for apparent density, compressive-flexural strength, capillary water absorption, and thermal conductivity were conducted in accordance with EN standards. In the first stage, the produced specimens were subjected to four different activation temperatures to determine the optimal process temperature. In the second stage, the ratios of perlite, sodium silicate, and water were varied to achieve the mixture design that yielded the highest mechanical properties from the specimens. In the final stage, water-repellent admixtures were incorporated into the batches at mass ratios of 1.5 %, 3 %, 4.5 %, and 6 %. The perlite-based thermal insulation board, which offers optimal properties in the most cost-effective manner, has an apparent density of 127 kg·m−3, compressive strength of 266 kPa, flexural strength of 156 kPa, capillary water absorption value of 0.0197 kg·m−2·min−0.5, thermal conductivity of 0.0475 Wm−1·K−1, and a unit cost of 97 $ m−3. Consequently, the insulation board developed in this study presents a viable alternative to conventional insulation materials, offering Class A fire resistance.

Lightweight Natural Fiber Insulation Boards Produced with Kapok Fiber (Ceiba Pentandra) and Polylactic Acid or Bicomponent Fiber as a Binder

AbstractTraditionally, kapok fiber is employed as filling for soft pillows, bedding, and diverse elements. Due to its buoyancy and proportion between cell wall and lumen, it is also applied as buoyant material in life vests and insulation materials. This study examine slightweight insulation panels produced from kapok fibers. Lightweight insulation boards are produced by hot‐air using kapok fibers (95%) bonded with polylactic acid or bicomponent fiber (5%), achieving very low densities of 10,15, and 20 kg.m−3. The technological attributes like density, porosity, water absorption, wettability, compression, and thermal conductivity, are evaluated against commercial glass wool. In terms of water absorption rates, there is a direct correlation with density. All the variables reach short‐term water absorption values less than 1 kg.m−2, which are comparable to commercial standards. This can be attributed to the lower density, higher porosity of the samples, and the inherent hydrophobic wax layer in the cell wall surface of kapok fibers. This trend is also evident in wettability tests, where produced boards demonstrated water‐repellency when exposed to water. Regarding the mechanical property of compression, neither the binder nor the density significantly impacts compression strength. The thermal conductivity performance of kapok‐based boards is comparable with commercially available ones.

Electrochemical polymerization of o-phenylenediamine in the presence of metal salts: influence of Cu(NO3)2 and AgNO3 on spectroelectrochemical properties and morphology

In this study, the effects of adding Cu(NO3)2 and AgNO3 metal salts to the polymerization medium on the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) were investigated. It was observed that the presence of Cu(NO3)2 or AgNO3 during polymerization increased the rate of current peak growth, indicating an acceleration of the polymerization process in the presence of metal ions. The cyclic voltammetry responses of the metal/polymer composites differed significantly from those of the pure polymer, confirming the formation of metal/polymer composites. FTIR and UV–vis absorption spectra were analyzed to explore the chemical structure of PoPD, PoPD/Cu, and PoPD/Ag polymer films. SEM and AFM analyses revealed distinct morphological differences between the polymer synthesized in the presence of metal salts and the pure polymer. Spectroelectrochemical analyses demonstrated that the polymer films exhibited reversible color changes from light copper to green, with distinct optical intensities in the UV–vis spectra. The absorbance and current values changed reversibly with the applied potential, with response times of approximately 10 s. Colorimetric analysis based on the CIE system showed unique variations in brightness (L), magnitude (a), and intensity (b) for PoPD, PoPD/Ag, and PoPD/Cu, confirming distinct colorimetric shifts during redox transitions. This study highlights the impact of Cu and Ag salts on the spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic performance of PoPD, revealing potential applications for PoPD composites in advanced electrochromic devices.

Analysis of the Influence of Excavated Soil Sand Characteristics on the Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Hydraulic Mortars

This work investigates the effects of substituting natural sand with excavated soil sand in the formulation of hydraulic mortar developed from a self-compacting concrete (SCC). Four excavated soil sand deposits were studied to assess their physicochemical properties. Subsequently, a reference mortar (RM) was designed using the concrete equivalent mortar method. Furthermore, the effect of incorporating 30% of excavation soil sand under different moisture conditions (natural storage conditions, dry and saturated surface dry state) on the properties of mortar is studied. Spreading tests were carried out to observe how the rheological properties evolve over time. The study includes compressive and flexural strength tests at 2, 7, 14 and 28 days. The results showed that some sands had densities similar to those of natural alluvial sand, while others had lower densities. Water absorption values varied considerably from one sand to another, with some showing values ranging from 1% to 6%, while other sands had values of up to 10%. The results of spreading tests indicate that mortar made with sand in a saturated dry-surface state is more fluid than mortar made with sand in a dry state. Under all conditions, all mortars lose their fluidity over time. The variation in compressive strength among all excavated soil sand mortars compared to the reference mortar remained below 10% at 2 and 28 days, except for one sand with a high clay content. The incorporation of excavated soil sand at this percentage as a substitute for river sand led to an enhancement in the flexural strength of the mortar, with improvements of 40% and 50% observed for certain types of excavated sand. The statistical study revealed a strong relationship between the properties of the sand (in particular, the fines content and their nature, as well as the sand skeleton) and its saturation state, the flowability and the compressive strength of the mortar.

Application of enhanced coagulation in drinking water treatment from the degraded catchment to reduce NOM: a major DBP precursor

ABSTRACT The occurrence of dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) in drinking water sources can potentially lead to the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). In regions like the degraded soil of the Ethiopian highlands, which have low humic content, hydrophilic NOM tends to dominate. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of enhanced coagulation in reducing precursors of DBPs in surface water used for drinking purposes. The Angereb reservoir, part of Gonder City's water supply in the Ethiopian highlands, was chosen as the study area. Jar testing was conducted to evaluate the NOM removal efficiency of enhanced coagulation methods using ferric chloride and aluminum sulfate coagulants. Water samples were collected during both dry and wet seasons in 2023. Various parameters, such as total organic carbon (TOC), ultraviolet absorbance at a wavelength of 254 nm (UVA@254), pH, and other water quality indicators, were analyzed. Results revealed that the NOM present was primarily hydrophilic, as anticipated, with specific ultraviolet absorbance values below 2 L/mg−1 m−1. The existing treatment process, which involved prechlorination and coagulation with aluminum sulfate, removed less than 28% of TOC and 14% of UVA@254. However, using ferric chloride-enhanced coagulation achieved a removal efficiency of 50% for both TOC and UVA@254.

Effects of calcium on physical properties and Fourier-transformed infrared spectra of raw and sterilized goat milk

Calcium fortification induces instability of goat milk such as flocculation and sedimentation. The Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectra could be used as a tool for monitoring such as instability. The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in FTIR spectra, particle size and some properties of raw and sterilized goat milk when stimulated with calcium fortification. Either calcium citrate or calcium phosphate was fortified at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) per 200 mL of milk samples. For raw goat milk, calcium citrate lowered the pH of goat milk and increased the sediment content. Sterilization lowered the milk pH for both calcium types which can be even lowered when increasing the fortification level. The average particle sizes of raw and sterilized goat milk were 0.543 and 1.063 µm, respectively. The calcium phosphate-treated samples had larger particle sizes than the calcium citrate-treated samples, with particle sizes of 2.603 and 2.242 µm at 50% and 100% RDI, respectively. The sediment of calcium citrate-fortified raw goat milk was correlated with FTIR absorption values in lipid (3000-2800 cm-1 ), protein (1700-1600, 1600-1500 cm-1 ) and phosphate (1100-1000 cm-1 ) regions with correlation coefficients of 0.89, -0.88 and 0.99, respectively. Such correlation was also found with the FTIR absorption values of the sediment of sterilized goat milk. Therefore, goat milk fortification with calcium particularly calcium citrate has resulted in altered FTIR absorption values and correlated to raw and sterilized goat milk’s sediment.

Wood-waste classification using interpretable machine learning

ABSTRACT Determining and classifying the contents of wood wastes, which possess an extremely heterogeneous structure, is crucial for their optimal utilization. The heterogeneous nature of waste wood poses significant challenges for its separation and classification. Also, the classical chemometric methods are not ergonomic in terms of time and cost. For this reason, this study aimed to develop an efficient ML-based decision support system (DSS) for accurate classification of waste wood in addition to being an ergonomic approach versus chemometric methods. To develop ML-based DSS, firstly absorbance values at 650–4000 cm−1 wavelength were measured using FTIR-ATR device for 200 wood-waste samples. Absorbance values at 52 key wavelengths, identified as the most effective for characterizing the samples, were used as input features to estimate ML classification models using artificial neural networks (ANN), random forest (RF), ensemble learning, multiple logistic regression (MLR), discriminant analysis, Naive Bayes, K-nearest neighbour (KNN), and support vector machines (SVM). The analysis results indicated that the developed DSS achieved quite a high classification accuracy rates, approaching 100%. As a result, this kind of ML-based DSS can be used as a practical and efficient tool to determine and classify the contents of wood wastes.

Effect of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on reproductive function in mice with asthenozoospermia based on mitochondrial apoptosis

To observe the effects of the "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on key regulatory factors during mitochondrial apoptosis of testicular tissue in asthenozoospermia mice, and explore the potential mechanism of the protective effect of acupuncture on reproductive function. Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 mice in each group. In the model and the acupuncture groups, the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (30 mg•kg-1•d-1) was delivered for 7 days to prepare the asthenozoospermia model. After the success of modeling, the modeled mice in the acupuncture group were intervened with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture, once daily and the needles were retained for 20 min. The duration of the intervention was 2 weeks. The general condition of each mouse was observed, and the body mass was recorded before modeling, after modeling and after intervention completion. After intervention, the testicular mass was recorded and the weight coefficient was calculated, and the mouse sperm quality was examined; the serum contents of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected using ELISA, the morphology of testicular tissue was observed using HE, the mitochondrial ultra-microstructure of testicular tissue was observed under transmission electrone microscopy, the mitochondrial membrane potential level of testicular tissue was detected using JC-1 staining, the positive rate of apoptosis cell of testicular tissue was observed using TUNEL; and the mRNA and protein expression of b-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome c (Cyt C), apoptotic protease-activating factor1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 of testicular tissue was detected using real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blot methods separately; and the positive expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 of the testicular tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry. Compared with the blank group, the mice were in listless spirits, had shaggy hairs, the reduced appetite and movement, and weight loss in the model group (P<0.01); the testicular mass and the weight coefficient decreased (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability were declined (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH were dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of seminiferous tubules in testicular tissue was abnormal, the number of spermatogenic cells and the number of mitochondria decreased, the inner mitochondrial crest was fractured and lost, and vacuoles appeared. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced (P<0.01); and the positive rate of apoptosis cell in testicular tissue increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was dropped (P<0.01), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 increased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the general condition of mice was improved, the testicular mass and the weight coefficient elevated (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability increased (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH rose (P<0.01). The pathological morphology of testicular tissue and the inner mitochondrial ultra-microstructure were ameliorated, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was elevated (P<0.01); the positive rate of apoptosis cell was reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was dropped (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 elevated (P<0.05), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 declined (P<0.01). "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward- "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture may ameliorate mouse reproductive function by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, alleviating testicular tissue damage in the asthenospermia mice induced by cyclophosphamide.

Cinnamic Acid Compounds (p-Coumaric, Ferulic, and p-Methoxycinnamic Acid) as Effective Antibacterial Agents Against Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (COLR-Ab) is an opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with nosocomial infections, and it is difficult to treat with current antibiotics. Therefore, new antimicrobial agents need to be developed for treatment. Based on this information, we investigated the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and combination activities of p-coumaric acid (p-CA), ferulic acid (FA), and p-methoxycinnamic acid (p-MCA) against five COLR-Ab isolates. p-CA, FA, and p-MCA exhibited antimicrobial activity against COLR-Ab isolates, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 256-128 µg/mL, 1024-512 µg/mL, and 512-128 µg/mL, respectively. The combination effects of the compounds with colistin (COL) were evaluated using a checkerboard synergy test. The combinations exhibited a synergistic effect and caused a 128- to 16-fold decrease in COL MIC values. In addition, the biofilm production capacities of the COLR-Ab isolates and the antibiofilm activities of the compounds were determined using the microtitre plate-based crystal violet (CV) technique. The compounds showed effective antibiofilm activity against strong and moderate biofilm-producing isolates, inhibiting biofilm formation by 77.5% and 19.7%. Spectrometric measurements were used to examine the effect of compounds on membrane permeability; 1.9-, 1.66-, and 1.34-fold increases in absorbance values were observed at MIC concentrations of p-CA, FA, and p-MCA, respectively. Furthermore, morphological changes caused by the compounds in the isolate were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. According to the WST assay, the compounds did not show any statistically significant cytotoxic effect on the cells (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that p-CA, FA, and p-MCA may be potential new alternative candidates against resistant A. baumannii.

Machine Learning Assisted Bithiophene Based Donor Acceptor Selection to Design New Fluoresent Dyes for Photovoltaic Applications.

This study investigates the electronic properties and photovoltaic (PV) performance of newly designed bithiophene-based dyes, focusing on their light harvesting efficiency (LHE), open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and short-circuit current density (Jsc).These new dyes are designed with the help of machine learning (ML) to design best donor acceptor designs. For this, we collect 2567 differenr electron donor groups and calculated their bandgap with the help of Random Forest (RF) Regression method. Their maximum absorption (λmax) values are redshifted with their 367-501nm range having TA1 with higher value. Their LHE values range from 52 to 89%, with TA3 demonstrating the highest efficiency. Their Voc values varies significantly, with TA2 achieving the highest at 1.584V, while TA5 and TA6 exhibit lowest values. Their FF)from 25.9 for TA4 to 59.3 for TA3, highlighting the superior charge extraction capabilities. Their Jsc values further reflect their performance potential, with TA1 leading at 39.43mA/cm², while TA4 and TA6 show significantly lower values of 3.28 and 4.40mA/cm², respectively. Overall, the findings suggest that the bithiophene-based dyes, particularly TA2 and TA3, possess promising characteristics for enhancing the efficiency of solar cells.

Simulation of the biocide distribution in soil using PELMO coupled with COMLEAM.

Biocides, applied in building materials as antimicrobial protectants, can be leached out by rain, presenting substantial environmental risks as confirmed by studies on aquatic environments. However, these biocides are consistently released throughout the year in a diluted form, posing unique challenges for the prediction of transport, transformation, and ecotoxicity assessment in soil. To address this challenge, we combined COMLEAM, which predicts leaching from facades into the soil, with the FOCUS PELMO pesticide model to predict biocide distribution in soil. The study predicted the concentration of the commonly used biocides 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT), 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolinone-3-one, and terbutryn at various soil depths over 600days, thereby evaluating the influence of different leaching simulations, absorption, and degradation kinetics on the PELMO simulation results. The findings suggest an effective simulation of biocide behavior in soil, with a tendency to overestimate the risk associated with short-acting in-can preservatives like BIT and provide more precise predictions for long-acting film preservatives. Biocide concentrations showed little variance in the upper layers and increased discrepancies at greater depths. This integrated approach provides a cost-effective means for predicting environmental risks and formulating management strategies, especially when paired with experimentally determined soil-specific degradation and absorption values.

In Situ Infared Optical Fiber Sensor Monitoring Reactants and Products Changes during Photocatalytic Reaction.

An in situ monitoring reaction can better obtain the variations during the progression of the photocatalytic reaction. However, the complexity of the apparatus and the limited applicability of substances are the common challenges faced by most in situ monitoring methods. Here, we invented an in situ infrared optical fiber sensor to monitor the reactants and products during photocatalytic reaction. The sensor, which has four tapered regions, demonstrates the best sensitivity of 0.71 au/vol %, 70 times higher than that of the fiber sensor without a tapered region. Then, this sensor was successfully used to in situ monitor the photocatalytic reaction between benzaldehyde and ethanol under the UV light and TiO2. The calibration plots of the reactants and products were established by sensing a series of designed concentration solutions. Based on the calibration plots, the real-time concentrations of four substances could be derived by converting the absorbance values, and the concentration changes of the reactants and products followed the first order kinetic mode. The equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products could be obtained from the fitting curves. With the increase in the UV light intensity, this sensor could detect a gradual increase in the rate of this photocatalytic reaction. The results show that this in situ infrared fiber sensor can monitor the progression of the photocatalytic reaction in real time, which will be helpful for unveiling the photocatalytic mechanism.

Novel ecofriendly spectrophotometric methods for the determination of six dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers through derivatization with sulfophtalein dye: application to tablet analysis

Novel, «green» and simple visible spectrophotometric procedures for the determination of six dihydropyridines CCBs (amlodipine besylate (AML), lacidipine (LAC), levamlodipine besylate (LAML), nifedipine (NIF), nimodipine (NIM) and nitrendipine (NIT)) through derivatization with the sulfophthalein dye bromophenol blue (BPB) have been developed. The optimal parameters for CCBs spectrophotometric analysis via complex formation using BPB were as follows: detection wavelength—596 nm, reaction time—5 min, ratio of reacting components—1:1, operating temperature—25 ± 2 °C. The concentration was linearly proportional to absorbance values in the range of 3.40—17.00 μg/mL (AML), 1.14—9.11 μg/mL (LAC), 1.14—9.08 μg/mL (LAML), 4.16—12.40 μg/mL (NIF), 0.84—5.86 μg/mL (NIM), 6.52—19.60 μg/mL (NIT). The developed methods are colorimetric and therefore does not require a UV instrument to quantify these drugs. The proposed approach was more efficient in terms of time reliability, sensitivity and «greenness» than other recorded spectrophotometric methods and can be easily implemented for routine pharmaceutical analysis.