Accumulation Of Material Research Articles

Asphalt-Binder Mixtures Evaluated by T1 NMR Relaxometry

Asphalt pavements make up a majority of the essential transportation systems in the US. Asphalt mixtures age and degrade over time, reducing the pavement performance. Pavement performance critically depends on the aging of asphalt binder. The aging of asphalt binder during construction is traditionally modeled by rolling thin film oven (RTFO) testing, while aging during service life is modeled by pressure aging vessel (PAV) testing. Comparing these models to the aging of binders in actual pavements is limited because, to be used for current testing, binders must be separated from the pavement’s aggregate by solvent extraction. Solvent extraction will, at least in part, compromise the structural integrity of asphalt binder samples. Spin-lattice NMR relaxometry has been shown to nondestructively evaluate asphalt properties in situ through the analysis of hydrogen environments. The molecular mobility of hydrogen environments and with it the stiffness of asphalt binder samples can be determined by characteristic T1 relaxation times, indicating the complexity of asphalt-binder aging. In this study, two laboratory-generated asphalt mixtures, a failed field sample, and several laboratory-aged binder samples are compared by NMR relaxometry. NMR relaxometry was found to be able to differentiate between asphalt samples based on their binder percentage. According to the relaxometry findings, the RTFO binder aging compared favorably to the 6% laboratory-mixed sample. The PAV aging, however, did not compare well to the relaxometry results found for the field-aged sample. The amount of aggregate was found to have an influence on the relaxation times of the binder in the mixed samples and an inverse proportionality of the binder content to the primary NMR relaxation time was detected. It is concluded that molecular water present in the pores of the aggregate material gives rise to such a relationship. The findings of this study lay the foundation for nondestructive asphalt performance evaluation by NMR relaxometry.

Bentonite Clays Related to Volcanosedimentary Formations in Southeastern Spain: Mineralogical, Chemical and Pozzolanic Characteristics

The volcanism that took place during the Neogene in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula caused a large accumulation of volcanosedimentary materials, which were subsequently altered and transformed into bentonite deposits. The mineral composition and technical quality of these deposits have been demonstrated and established in this work. The main object of this research is the mineral, chemical and thermal characterization of the bentonites that lie in the southeastern region of Spain and to demonstrate their technical capabilities to be used as pozzolans. The first phase of characterization of the samples was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), oriented aggregates (OAs), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In the second phase, a chemical–technical quality test (CTQT) was carried out, aimed at determining reactive SiO2 and reactive CaO, whereas in the third phase, a chemical pozzolanicity test (CPT) was carried out to establish the pozzolanic behavior of the samples over two test periods: 8 and 15 days. The XRD and OA analyses showed that the bentonite samples are made up of a main phase formed by montmorillonite, quartz, plagioclase-albite and chabazite–Ca. The results obtained by XRF on the bentonite samples indicated that the SiO2 contents are high and vary between 43.33% and 64.71%, while Al2O3 ranges between 15.81% and 17.49%. The CTQT established that more than 80% of the SiO2 and CaO present in the samples are reactive, which was confirmed by the results of the chemical pozzolanicity test (CPT). The results obtained show that the bentonites in this study present technical qualities that are undoubtedly reinforced by their mineral constitution and chemical composition. These tests could become a practical guide for the selection of eco-efficient materials in the production of pozzolanic cements and environmentally friendly ceramic products.

(Invited) Structural and Dynamics Analysis of Organic Semiconducting Materials by Solid State NMR

Our group have successfully developed several highly efficient blue and green thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, which show the reverse intersystem crossingfrom triplet to singlet excited states. However the conformation and dynamics of TADF emitters related to RISC process in amorphous states is still unclear, because the experimental approach toward these information is limited due to difficulty of application of diffraction technique . Thus we have carried out multiscale simulations and solid-state NMR (ssNMR) analysis of organic amorphous thin films. The ssNMR is one of the powerful technique to obtain the structural and dynamics information of amorphous aggregated materials. In this presentation, we demonstrate structural and dynamics analysis of amorphous organic semiconducting materials using ssNMR.

Seasonal deoxygenation in a shallow coastal embayment: The role of stratification and implications for water-quality monitoring.

High frequency measurements at the seabed in a shallow semi-enclosed embayment of the Indian Ocean reveal deoxygenation of the bottom water at a rate of 40 mmol O2 m−3 d−1 when seasonal density stratification occurs. The vertical profile of dissolved oxygen below the pycnocline shows concentration decreasing at a constant rate toward the seabed suggesting a benthic sink and an associated downward flux of ∼30 mmol O2 m−2 d−1. This is closely coupled to an increase in CO2 indicative of microbial respiration. The results and nutrient history of the area suggest that the accumulation of organic material in the marine sediments have led to high sediment oxygen demand making the area extremely sensitive to reduced ventilation from the surface caused by low rates of vertical mixing. The data also shows that the existing weekly water-quality monitoring often misses the most severe events. Global warming is expected to worsen the problem with longer and more frequent stratification periods, reduced oxygen solubility and enhanced rates of microbial respiration.

Localization and etiological stratification of non-neoplastic small bowel bleeding via CT imaging: a 10-year study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced CT scans for small bowel bleeding.MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated patients diagnosed with non-neoplastic small intestinal bleeding (including duodenum) who underwent abdominal CT at our institution from December 2013 to March 2023. Patients were categorized into diverticulum and non-diverticulum groups based on the cause of bleeding. Active bleeding was defined on the CT images as extravasation of contrast material in the intestinal lumen during the arterial phase and/or progressive accumulation of contrast material during the venous phase. We have documented the original report (extracted from the medical record system and additional consultation opinions from senior radiologists), including the presence of active bleeding and its potential bleeding location. Furthermore, two radiologists reassessed the CT images, seeking consensus on the diagnosis between them.ResultsThe study included 165 patients, predominantly male, with a median age of 30 years. Active bleeding was identified in 48.3% of patients. Notably, all identified bleeding diverticula in the diverticulum group exhibited cul-de-sac termination. Among the identified causes of bleeding, Crohn’s disease was most prevalent (46.7%, N of causes = 64). Significant differences were observed in the diagnostic methods between the diverticulum and non-diverticulum groups, with surgery predominantly applied in the diverticulum group, and endoscopy in the non-diverticulum group (n = 49 vs n = 15, p = 0.001). Contrast agent extravasation was significantly higher in the diverticulum group (n = 54 vs n = 16, p = 0.001), and Meckel’s diverticulum cases appearing tubular were significantly higher than in other diverticulum cases (n = 25 vs n = 3, p < 0.001).ConclusionCT allows for a higher detection rate of diverticular bleeding, even if asymptomatic, guiding classification into multiple potentially clinically relevant categories.Critical relevance statementContrast-enhanced CT imaging is effective in determining the location and cause of non-neoplastic small bowel bleeding, especially diverticular bleeding. Therefore, the use of enhanced CT should be prioritized in the diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding.Key PointsCT has potential value in the diagnosis of small bowel bleeding.CT imaging suggests possible surgical intervention for active bleeding detection.CT diagnoses and localizes small bowel bleeding, aiding in treatment and prioritizing in guidelines.Graphical

Heavy aggregate and different admixtures efffect on parquets: chrome, magnetite, and quartz-based surface hardener

This paper presents the mechanical and micro-structure results of concrete parquet blocks. The blocks were generated by utilizing the same part in the bottom part and by substituting different proportions (40%, 30%, 20%, and 10%) of heavy aggregate like chromite aggregate, magnetite aggregate, normal aggregate, and surface hardener in the upper part. The parquet sample tests were conducted on TS 2824 EN 1338. The test outcomes indicated that utilizing diverse aggregate and chemical materials boosted the abrasion resistance, 40% magnetite and quartz-based concrete parquet block samples demonstrated the best abrasion resistance values. Also, the minimum amount of mass loss was discovered in the samples that possess high water absorption at the freezing-thaw test. The different material substitutions in the sheet of the surface of the concrete parquet block samples altered the tensile strength of the samples, even though they did not bring about an outstanding variation in the compressive strength of the concrete parquet samples.

Kajian Setting Time dan Permeabilitas pada Beton Variasi Limbah Granit Sebagai Subtitusi Parsial Agregat Kasar

Currently, infrastructure development is a priority of the Indonesian government which aims to improve the quality of life of the community and equitable distribution of infrastructure development. The need for concrete material as a construction material also increases in line with the increase in infrastructure development. The use of recycled aggregate materials, especially granite waste, is a promising option in sustainable infrastructure development. This study was conducted with the aim of knowing the effect of partial substitution of coarse aggregates using granite waste variations on the binding time and permeability of concrete. Experimental method was chosen in this research. The levels of granite waste used were 0%; 15%; 30%; and 45% by weight of coarse aggregate or gravel. The test specimens used for the concrete bond time study were fresh concrete poured into cube molds measuring 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm with a minimum height of 15 cm. Testing concrete bond time using a penetrometer tool. The test specimen for concrete permeability is a cube measuring 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm, totaling 12 pieces and tested with a Permeability Test Apparatus (Water Permeabilty Apparatus).The results showed that partial substitution of coarse aggregate with granite waste variation did not affect the setting time of concrete up to a certain level. Based on the results of the research conducted, the initial setting time and final setting time values of 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% granite content variations fluctuate and the coefficient of determination (R2) value in linear regression is only 0.5 and 0.3. Partial replacement of coarse aggregate with granite waste has an effect on the impermeability of concrete which meets the requirements for medium aggressive impermeable concrete. Water pressure of 5 kg/cm2 for 72 hours applied to the concrete partial replacement of coarse aggregate with granite waste variation resulted in permeability coefficient values of 4.11 x 10-12 cm/s; 3.48 x 10-12 cm/s; 2.17 x 10-12 cm/s; and 3.25 x 10-12 cm/s. The minimum coefficient value of concrete with partial substitution of coarse aggregate with granite waste is obtained at 30% by weight of coarse aggregate. Granite, whose specific gravity is greater than gravel, produces denser and more water-resistant concrete.

Sodium-iodate injection can replicate retinal and choroid degeneration in pigmented mice: Using multimodal imaging and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the elderly population. Sodium iodate (NaIO3), a stable oxidizing agent, has been injected to establish a reproducible model of oxidative stress-induced RPE and photoreceptor death. The aim of our study was to evaluate the morphological and molecular changes of retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid in NaIO3-treated mouse using multimodal fundus imaging and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis. Here, we found that following NaIO3 injection, retinal degeneration was evident. Fundus photographs showed numerous scattered yellow-white speckled deposits. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images indicated disruption of the retinal layers, damage of the RPE layer and accumulation of hyper-reflective matter in multiple layers of the outer retina. Widespread foci of a high fundus autofluorescence (FAF) signal were noticed. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) revealed diffuse intense transmitted fluorescence mixed with scattered spot-like blocked fluorescence. Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) presented punctate hyperfluorescence. Due to the atrophy of the RPE and Bruch's membrane and choroidal capillary complex, the larger choroidal vessels become more prominent in ICGA and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) illustrated abnormal material accumulation and damaged mitochondria. Bioinformatics analysis of proteomics revealed that the differentially expressed proteins participated in diverse biological processes, encompassing phototransduction, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, phagosome, necroptosis, and cell adhesion molecules. In conclusion, by multimodal imaging, we described the phenotype of NaIO3-treated mouse model mimicking oxidative stress-induced RPE and photoreceptor death in detail. In addition, proteomics analysis identified differentially expressed proteins and significant enrichment pathways, providing insights for future research, although the exact mechanism of oxidative stress-induced RPE and photoreceptor death remains incompletely understood.

Comparison of vortex formation in expanded and curved aortic sinuses: The effect of sinus curvature

Aortic valve disease is a significant health issue. Research on the effects of aortic sinus geometry and aortic valve motion during a heartbeat is imperative, as numerous valvular diseases are associated with blood flow near the heart valve. Changes in the internal space of the sinus and the formation of blood clots have been reported after the implantation of a transcatheter aortic valve, an artificial heart valve. Although the sinus shape and leaflet motion significantly affect the hemodynamic characteristics and platelet aggregation, the blood flow behaviors near the heart valve associated with clot formation have not been fully elucidated. This study conducted in vitro experiments to investigate the flow behavior near an aortic sinus model based on the sinus shape. Additionally, hemodynamic changes associated with variations in the aortic sinus geometry and leaflet length within an aortic sinus model under pulsatile-flow conditions were elucidated. In a curved sinus model, a large single vortex formed near the center of the sinus region. Meanwhile, the center of the vortex in the sinus region shifted during a cycle in an expanded sinus model. Furthermore, a small vortex remained where the leaflet was initiated, thus increasing the likelihood of thrombus formation. Thus, the curved sinus model is advantageous for preventing material accumulation by maintaining a large vortex structure. The experimental results confirmed that the aortic sinus shape and leaflet length affect the likelihood of thrombus formation inside the aortic sinus.

Investigation of the mechanical, microstructure, and durability properties of concrete with fine uniform and non-uniform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregates

Concrete manufacturing is highly resource-intensive and is a major source of greenhouse gas emission. Accelerating depletion of natural resources such as sand, which is the primary material for aggregate in concrete manufacture is a growing problem. At the same time, the disposal of vast volumes of non-biodegradable plastic waste poses a global environmental challenge. The incorporation of aggregates derived from municipal plastic waste to substitute for sand has the potential to help address both issues, while at the same time mitigating greenhouse gas emission. This study examines the potential of municipal polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste as a fine aggregate in concrete manufacturing. The primary focus was on PET aggregates with non-uniform and uniform shapes ranging in size from 2.36 to 4.75 mm. In the concrete mixtures, 0 %, 30 %, and 50 % of the fine natural aggregate by volume were replaced with fine PET aggregate with a water to cement ratio of 0.40. The obtained results showed a reduction in compressive and splitting tensile strength when compared to control specimens. However, replacing 30 % of fine natural aggregate with PET (both uniform and non-uniform shapes) significantly improved chloride resistance by 13 % and 12 %, respectively, while also enhancing the bond between cement paste and PET particles. This study characterizes the material properties of PET concrete, which represents a promising method for reusing municipal plastic waste and mitigating environmental concerns in concrete production.

A Strategic Study on the Infiltration of Life Experience in the Teaching of Assignments in the Upper Primary School Language Group

With the deepening of education reform and the needs of education development, more and more attention is being paid to students' language writing ability. Language writing is an important means to cultivate students' comprehensive language use ability and an important way to improve their comprehensive literacy. In order to better promote the construction and development of primary school language courses, nowadays, in the process of teaching primary school writing, teachers should stand on the children's position, pay active attention to the children's real life status, carefully plan and construct the students' life experience system, so that the students can complete the construction of the main body of the framework of the content of the assignment in the real and intentional life experience, and guide the students to pay attention to the life, awakening experience, accumulation of rich materials, so that the assignment will be more effective. Rich material, so that the content of the work of words and real sense, get rid of false, big, empty unrealistic sky, get rid of the "set work", fixed template of the undesirable phenomenon. Let the students' work content close to real life, full of real emotions, learn to choose the right life materials, build the structure of the composition, can think hard from different perspectives to express creatively. Let the assignments have something to say, let the assignments have a method to say, let the assignments have a character to say. This study focuses on students' writing in the fifth and sixth grades of primary school, focusing on life experience. The important value and significance of life experience in the teaching of language assignments in the upper primary grades helps teachers to update the concept of teaching assignments in a timely manner, improves primary school students' enjoyment of assignments, and then promotes the construction and development of primary school language assignments education.

Evidence of low velocity layers at the top and bottom of the Mantle Transition Zone (MTZ) below the Uttarakhand Himalaya, India

The Mantle Transition Zone (MTZ) beneath the Uttarakhand Himalaya has been modelled using Common Conversion Point (CCP) stacking and depth-migration of radial P-receiver functions. In the Uttarakhand Himalaya region, the depths of the 410-km discontinuity (d410) and the 660-km discontinuity (d660) are estimated to be approximately 406 ± 8 km and 659 ± 10 km, respectively. Additionally, the thickness of the mantle transition zone (MTZ) is modelled to be 255 ± 7 km. The average arrival times for d410 and d660 conversions are (44.47 ± 1.33) s and (71.08 ± 1.29) s, respectively, indicating an undisturbed slightly deeper d410 and a deformed noticeably deeper d660 in the area. The model identifies the characteristics of the d410 and d660 mantle discontinuities beneath the Lesser Himalayan region, revealing a thickening of the MTZ towards northeast, which could be due to gradual cooling or thickening of the Indian lithosphere towards its northern limit. We simulate a low-velocity layer (perhaps partially molten) above the d410 discontinuity at depths of 350 to 385 km, indicating the presence of a hydrated MTZ beneath the area. We also interpret a negative phase at d660 as a low-velocity layer between 590 and 640 km depths, which could be attributed to the accumulation of old subducted oceanic materials or increased water content at the bottom of the MTZ. Our results suggest the presence of residues from paleo-subducted lithospheric slabs in and below the mantle transition zone underlying the Uttarakhand Himalayas.

Mechanical and Microstructural Analysis of Treated Tuff with Metakaolin Geopolymer Cement for Road Base layers Applications

Traditional road bases materials such as natural gravel and crushed stone are environmentally damaging, and there is a growing need for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. One such alternative is using geopolymer cement and tuff as aggregate materials. Geopolymer cement is an innovative and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional Portland cement, and using locally-sourced tuff as an aggregate material can further reduce the environmental impact of road construction. This article discusses the importance of sustainable road construction practices, particularly in the use of eco-friendly materials for road base layers. It focuses on the treatment of tuff with alkali-activated metakaolin as the geopolymer precursor activated with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The effectiveness of treating tuff with metakaolin geopolymer cement is evaluated using several parameters, including dry density, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), shear strength, and microstructure analysis. These evaluations are performed with different NaOH dosages (8, 10, and 12 moles) to determine the optimal molarity for enhancing the material's performance.

Effects of cutting tool geometry on material removal of a gradient nanograined CoCrNi medium entropy alloy.

CoCrNi medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) have attracted extensive attention and research because of their superior mechanical properties, such as higher ductility, strength, and toughness. This study uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the cutting behavior of a gradient nanograined (GNG) CoCrNi MEA. Moreover, it explores the influence of relative tool sharpness and rake angle on the cutting process. The results show that an increase in the average grain size of the GNG samples leads to a decrease in the average resultant cutting force, as predicted by the Hall-Petch relationship. The deformation behavior shows that grain boundaries are crucial in inhibiting the propagation of strain and stress. As the average grain size of the GNG sample increases, the range of shear strain distribution and average von Mises stress decreases. Moreover, the cutting chips become thinner and longer. The subsurface damage is limited to a shallow layer at the surface. Since thermal energy is generated in the high grain boundary density, the temperature of the contact zone between the substrate and the cutting tool increases as the GNG size decreases. The cutting chips removed from the GNG CoCrNi MEA substrates will transform into a mixed structure of face-centered cubic and hexagonally close-packed phases. The sliding and twisting of grain boundaries and the merging of grains are essential mechanisms for polycrystalline deformation. Regarding the cutting parameters, the average resultant force, the material accumulation, and the chip volume increase significantly with the increase in cutting depth. In contrast to sharp tools, which mainly use shear deformation, blunt tools remove material by plowing, and the cutting force increases with the increase in cutting-edge radius and negative rake angle.

A‐prori layer height determination for wire arc additive manufacturing based on weld geometry

AbstractThe application of wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) for the production of large size components is currently limited, due to strong distortion and unprecise filling behavior. The resulting geometric and metallurgical irregularities pose a challenge to the process. The current approach of a layered structure cannot be adopted without adjustments when using wire arc additive manufacturing. Reasons include incompleteness, material accumulation and deformation. The combination of experimental weld geometry‐determination and its numerical estimation is presented here as solution to this challenge. The procedure is based on the measurement of a weld bead cross‐section‐area. By convolution of a path matrix with a weld‐geometry‐function, the planned path is filled with the seam geometry. Subsequent summation of multiple matrices results in a height profile showing discontinuities and accumulations. Further validation tests show a good agreement between the method and experimentally determined problem areas. The presented optimisation procedure can be extended with material parameters. A local compensation for deformation can be achieved.

Degrowth or Class Struggle? A Critique of Matthew Huber’s Climate Change as Class War

ABSTRACT This article interrogates Matthew Huber's criticism of degrowth theory, specifically his claim that the socialist project must foreground class struggle over and against calls for degrowth. We identify two key problems with Huber's approach. First, he offers no response to the central empirical thesis of the degrowth literature, i.e. that ecological sustainability is incompatible with increasing aggregate material throughput. Second, he limits his discussion to class struggle internal to the “Global North,” obscuring the global character of production that so concerns degrowth theory. When these two points are understood, it becomes clear that degrowth should not be positioned against class struggle. In fact, the former should be understood as a prerequisite for any authentic realization of the latter (as well as vice-versa). This article therefore defends a version of ecosocialist degrowth.

Use of Slag from Steelworks (BSSF and BOF) in the Manufacture of Concrete as a Possible Environmental Solution: Case Study with Tailings from the CSP of the Port of Pecém in Ceará

The increased demand for raw materials by the construction and processing industries, in particular steel produced from iron ore, has caused negative environmental impacts on the communities located around the steel industries. Therefore, this study validated the hypothesis that it is possible to use the waste produced and disposed of in steel mills (steel mill slag) in the construction industry. In this context, concrete manufacturing experiments were carried out by replacing the aggregate material (sand and cement) with steel mill slag (BSFF and BOF) and technical tests (particle size analysis, magnetic field testing, expansivity and axial strength) to prove the quality of the material produced. The results obtained show that the use of iron ore tailings produced at the Companhia Siderúrgica do Pecém (CSP) in the state of Ceará has potential to produce concrete that can be used in small and large constructions (low-income housing, asphalt sheets, buildings, and viaducts) and that this can help mitigate the negative effects of environmental pollution in the communities surrounding this region, helping to reduce environmental impacts.

Geomorphological controls on estuary hydrodynamics with implications for diatom blooms in deglaciated coastal areas

Understanding local hydraulic conditions is imperative to coastal harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring. The research summarized herein describes how the locations and tidal phases selected for coastal hazard sampling can influence measurement results used to guide management decisions for HABs. Our study was conducted in Frenchman Bay, Maine, known for its complex deglaciated coastline, strong tidal influence, and shellfishing activities that are susceptible to problematic HABs such as those produced by some species (spp.) of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia. In-situ measurements of current velocity, density, and turbulence collected over a semidiurnal tidal cycle and a companion numerical model simulation of the study area provide concurrent evidence of two adjacent counter-rotating sub-mesoscale eddies (2–4 km diameter) that persist in the depth-averaged residual circulation. The eddies are generated in the wake of several islands in an area with abrupt bathymetric gradients, both legacy conditions partly derived from deglaciation ∼15 kya. Increased concentrations of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. measured during the semidiurnal survey follow a trend of elevated turbulent dissipation rates near the water surface, indicating that surface sampling alone might not adequately indicate species abundance. Additional measurements of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. from two years of weekly sampling in the region show that algal cell abundance is highest where residual eddies form. These findings provide incentive to examine current practices of HAB monitoring and management by linking coastal geomorphology to hydraulic conditions influencing HAB sampling outcomes, coastal morphometric features to material accumulation hotspots, and millennial time scales to modern hydraulic conditions.

Possibilities of producing lightweight aggregates from silica-clay raw material and cellulosic waste

AbstractThe subject of the work is the characterization of lightweight aggregates intended for construction using the example of silica-clay raw material from south-eastern Poland (Dylągówka-Zapady deposit). The primary objective of the research is to assess the possibility of managing the accumulated organic waste, including cellulose pulp. This storage is problematic for processing plants and local government bodies and incurs high costs annually. Therefore, based on the patent (Kukułka et al. Method of producing raw meal, dried clay granules, and fired clay granules and the production line of raw meal, dried clay granules, and baked clay granules. Patent RP no P.429284.), an attempt was made to confirm the assumptions of the technology of fired clay granules, which can be used for zootechnical, agricultural, and construction purposes. The presented work assessed the physicochemical transformations in the clay-silica raw material after adding a significant amount of cellulose waste (10%, 20%, and 30%) in the temperature range of 25–1300 °C were assessed. Thermal methods such as thermodilatometry, Hot-Stage Microscopy with image analysis (IA-HSM) and thermal DSC/TG analysis with gas analysis were used for this purpose. Based on the first method, a temperature range was established in which sintering occurs without an apparent effect of densification. Therefore, the range of 850–950 °C was used to obtain fired granules, which were tested as a material for lightweight aggregates.

Unravelling the role of tumor microenvironment responsive nanobiomaterials in spatiotemporal controlled drug delivery for lung cancer therapy.

Design and development of efficient drug delivery technologies that impart site-specificity is the need of the hour for the effective treatment of lung cancer. The emergence of materials science and nanotechnology partially helped drug delivery scientists to achieve this objective. Various stimuli-responsive materials that undergo degradation at the pathological tumor microenvironment (TME) have been developed and explored for drug delivery applications using nanotechnological approaches. Nanoparticles (NPs), owing to their small size and high surface area to volume ratio, demonstrated enhanced cellular internalization, permeation, and retention at the tumor site. Such passive accumulation of stimuli-responsive materials helped to achieve spatiotemporally controlled and targeted drug delivery within the tumors. In this review, we discussed various stimuli-physical (interstitial pressure, temperature, and stiffness), chemical (pH, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and redox state), and biological (receptor expression, efflux transporters, immune cells, and their receptors or ligands)-that are characteristic to the TME. We mentioned an array of biomaterials-based nanoparticulate delivery systems that respond to these stimuli and control drug release at the TME. Further, we discussed nanoparticle-based combinatorial drug delivery strategies. Finally, we presented our perspectives on challenges related to scale-up, clinical translation, and regulatory approvals.