Borax Solution Research Articles

Influence of Levels and Methods of Boron Application on the Yield and Uptake of Boron by Cotton in a Calcareous Soil of Punjab

ABSTRACTA field experiment was conducted to study the influence of boron (B) application on yield and B uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in B-deficient calcareous soil of south-west Punjab. The treatments comprise six levels of soil-applied B (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mg B kg−1soil) and two levels of foliar-applied B (0.1% and 0.2% borax and granubor solution) along with the common control (no B application). The experiment was laid out in RBD factorial design with three replications. The seed cotton yield and its attributing characters (plant height, number of sympodial and monopodial branches, boll weight, and number of boll per plant) and root biomass increased significantly with increasing levels of boron up to 1.0 mg B kg−1 level over the control and then remained nonsignificant with further higher levels of soil-applied boron. Among foliar-applied boron levels, 0.1% borax solution was better than 0.2% borax solution. Soil-applied boron was at par with foliar-applied boron. The efficiency of borax and granubor was found to be equal in both sources of boron. The mean B content and its uptake by seed cotton and roots increased significantly up to 1.0 mg B kg−1 soil-applied B level and then recorded nonsignificant with further higher levels of boron. For the foliar method of B application, the mean B content and its uptake by seed cotton increased significantly over the control. The mean available B content in soils (0–15 cm) at 45, 75, 105, and 145 days after sowing increased significantly over the control for all soil-applied B levels, while it remained nonsignificant over the control for all growth stages of cotton in foliar method of B application. Further, it was positively correlated with root biomass (r = 0.91), boron uptake by root (r = 0.98), and sympodial branch per plant (r = 0.81). The interaction of B application levels and sources was not significant for all studied traits. Regardless of B sources, B application had a significant effect on yield, yield attributes, and B uptake up to 1.0 mg B kg−1 level for soil-applied B and 0.1% borax or granubor solution for foliar-applied B.

Transparent and super-gas-barrier PET film with surface coated by a polyelectrolyte and Borax

Thin films of polyacrylic acid (PAA), 4,4‘-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and borax were separately grown on a poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film to afford a transparent film material with super gas barrier performance. Unlike electrostatic interactions or clay-loaded barrier thin films, which were easily peeled when subjected to exoteric force, excellent peel strength was obtained due to the formation of high density urethane chemical bonds. The gas vapor barrier value is dramatically decreased to the detection limit of commercial instrumentation (<0.005 cc/m2/day). These outstanding performances are attributed to the reaction between sodium metaborate and PAA, which is confirmed using online infrared radiation (IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS of the multilayer film revealed that borax can permeate the PAA thin layer to completely crosslink the carboxyl group of PAA. The gas barrier properties are obviously improved by the permeating borax solution. In particular, compared to commercial PET film, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) is reduced from 75 to <0.005 cc/m2/day. Moreover, the OTR value is almost same as that of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) film, which is currently the best gas barrier plastic. Therefore, the PET/MDI/PAA/borax composite films show great potential for various packaging materials due to their excellent oxygen and moisture barrier characteristics, as well as other performance. By simply coating a thin layer of 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polyacrylic acid and borax on the surface of PET film, a transparent PET film with extremely low gas vapor barrier value can be obtained. The oxygen transmission rate can be dramatically decreased to the detection limit of commercial instrumentation (<0.005 cc/m2/day).

Development and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Bio-Flexy Films Using a Novel Biopolymer from Solanum melongena Loaded with Nanosized Topiramate

Purpose: To purpose of this research work was to develop nanosized Topiramate loaded bio-flexy films containing biopolymer isolated from natural edible source of Solanum melongena pulp. Soft palate drug delivery bypasses first-pass metabolism in gastrointestinal tract. The biopolymer was isolated from pulp of Solanum melongena as bio-excipient cum retardant for preparing bio-flexy films due to its biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic nature, inertness to soft palatal mucosal surface. Topiramate, anticonvulsant drug which is used for treatment of Epilepsy by reducing glutamatergic neurotransmission have adverse effects like stomach pain, inflammation of pharynx, suicidal ideation and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Thus, the adverse reactions are minimized by reducing dose, dose frequency which can be achieved by nanosizing of drug and its smart delivery by Soft Palatal route. Method: Topiramate was nanosized using Solvent Evaporation and Sonication methods respectively. Nanosized Topiramate loaded bio-flexy films containing isolated Solanum melongena biopolymer were prepared by Film Solvent Casting Technique. Formulations containing different ratios of Topiramate: Solanum melongena biopolymer (1:1; 1:3, 1:5, 1:6, 1:10) (FMO1-FMO5) were taken in mortar. Optimized quantity of Dextrose, Fructose and Glycerin were added and triturated properly. Added Distilled Water up to 20 mL uniformly triturated for 2 mins. Mixtures were subjected to Magnetic Stirring for 45 mins, followed by sonication for 5 cycles (each cycle 180 seconds). 10 mL of the solutions were poured into petridishes. Kept for natural drying for 24 hours. Removed by rinsing with 0.1 mL of 1% borax solution. Checked filmability of prepared films. Evaluation parameters were performed for Mucoretentivity, Swelling Index, Thickness, Tensile Strength, Folding Endurance, Surface pH, Weight Uniformity, Drug Content Uniformity, Percentage Moisture Uptake (PTU), in vitro release, and stability studies. Results: The isolated Solanum melongena biopolymer showed percentage yield of 0.58% ± 0.02. Significant mucoretention of prepared bio-flexy films was observed on Capra aegagrus intestinal mucosa in comparison with standard Sodium Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose films. Swelling Percentage of nanosized Topiramate loaded bioflexy films containing Solanum melongena biopolymer (FMO1-FMO5) was ranging from: 70% ± 0.5 to 73% ± 0.3, Thickness 0.027 ± 0.006 mm to 0.037 ± 0.002 mm, Tensile Strength: 89.38 g ± 2.8 to 100.05 g ± 2.4, Folding Endurance: 102-167, Surface pH: 7.01 ± 0.05 to 7.01 ± 0.03, Weight Uniformity: 0.020 ± 0.05 to 0.031 ± 0.04, Drug Content Uniformity: 90.4% ± 0.65 to 98.6% ± 0.60, Percentage Moisture Uptake (PTU): 2.2% ± 0.13 to 2.6% ± 0.12. Conclusion: The bio-flexy film FMO1 prepared using Topiramate: Solanum melongena biopolymer in ratio of 1:1 was taken as Best film. It showed Regression square value of 0.9618, Higuchi Matrix equation as best fit model, followed Anomalous Transport release mode of action, Time required for 50%, drug release was 24 hours and for 80% drug release was 32 hours as per BITS Software. Stability study showed stable bio-flexy films. Prepared formulations of Topiramate loaded bio-flexy films containing Solanum melongena biopolymer were appropriate for Soft Palatal Delivery as it showed significant mucoretention due to its bio-polymeric nature.

Improving Fruit Set and Productivity of Barhee Date Palm under Heat Stress Conditions

This study was conducted during 2016 and 2017 seasons on about 10 years-old Barhee date palm trees grown in Agriculture Research Center farm at Toshka, Aswan Governorate, Egypt, as an attempt to solve pollination problems of Barhee date palm cultivar under heat stress. Seven pollination treatments were applied on flowers (T1) the normal (control) pollination by inserting ten male strands / female spathe, (T2) spray female spathes by sugar solution at 4gL and then pollen grains were pushed out, (T3) pollen grains suspended in sugar solution at 4gL and then spray on female spathes, (T4) spray female spathes by Borax solution at 4gL and then pollen grains were pushed out, (T5) pollen grains suspended in Borax solution at 4gL and then spray on female spathes. (T6) spray female spathes by NAA solution at 0.5gL and then pollen grains were pushed out and (T7) pollen grains suspended in NAA solution at 0.5gL and then spray on female spathes. Results revealed that spraying sugar, borax and NAA solution on female spathes of Barhee date palm before pollination or suspended with pollen grains significantly improved fruit set and retention besides, increased bunch weight, palm yield, fruit physical and chemical properties comparing with pollination by traditional method (control). The best treatment in this study was spraying female spathes by Borax solution at 4gL and then pollen grains were pushed out. This study recommends spraying female spathes by Borax solution at 4gL before pollination Barhee date palm trees under heat stress conditions.

Determination of Betaine in Forsythia Suspensa by High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis

This paper presents the determination of betaine content of Forsythia suspensa by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) method. The borax solution was chosen as buffer solution, and its concentration was 40 mmol with capillary column (75μm×52/60cm) at a constant voltage of 20kV and injecting pressure time of 10s at 20°C. Linearity was kept in the concent ration range of 0.0113-1.45mg·ml-1 of betaine with correlation coefficient of 0.999. The recovery was in the range of 97%-117% (n=5), The content of betaine was 281.5 mg·g-1and RSD value of 9.6% (n=6) in Forsythia suspensa. This method has the advantage of rapid, accurate and good repeatability in separation and determination of betaine in Forsythia suspensa.

Determination of Betaine in Jujube by Capillary Electrophoresis

This paper presents the determination of betaine content in jujube by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) method. The borax solution was chosen as buffer solution, and its concentration was 40 mmol at a constant voltage of 20kV and injecting pressure time of 10s at 14°C. Linearity was kept in the concent ration range of 0.0113∼1.45mg of betaine with correlation coefficient of 0.9. The content of betaine in jujube was 85.91 mg/g (RSD = 16.6%) (n = 6). The recovery of betaine in jujube sample was in the range of 86.2% - 116.6% (n=3). This method is specific, simple and rapid and accurate, which is suitable for the detection of the content of betaine in jujube.

Determination of Betaine in Lycii Cortex by Capillary Electrophoresis

This paper presents the determination of betaine content in Lycii Cortex by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) method. The borax solution was chosen as buffer solution, and its concentration was 40 mmol at a constant voltage of 20kV and injecting pressure time of 10s at 14°C. Linearity was kept in the concent ration range of 0.0113∼1.45mg of betaine with correlation coefficient of 0.9. The content of betaine in Lycii Cortex was 61.9 mg/g (RSD = 13.4%) (n = 7). The recovery was in the range of 86.6% - 118.1% (n=4). This method is specific, simple and rapid and accurate, which is suitable for the detection of the content of betaine in Lycii Cortex.

Determination of Betaine in Lycium Barbarum L. by High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis

This paper presents the determination of betaine content in Lycium barbarum L. by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) method. The borax solution was chosen as buffer solution, and its concentration was 40 mmol at a constant voltage of 20kV and injecting pressure time of 10s at 20°C. Linearity was kept in the concent ration range of 0.0113∼1.45mg of betaine with correlation coefficient of 0.9. The recovery was in the range of 97.95%∼126% (n=4). The sample content of betaine was 29.3mg/g and RSD 6.4% (n=6). This method is specific, simple and rapid and accurate, which is suitable for the detection of the content of betaine in Lycium barbarum L.

SPECIAL ASPECTS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN CORPUS CALLOSUM AND FORNIX

It is commonly known that the body of the fornix belonging to the limbic brain is fused with the corpus callosum. Therefore, the question arises about the existence of commutation interactions between the limbic brain and the new pallium through the collector system of the corpus callosum, which is probably the mediating link between the subconscious and conscious spheres of a person's mental activity. However, in the literature this question is not discussed in this way. Aim of research. The aim of this study is to establish whether the fornix has an organic connection with the myeloarchitectonics of the corpus callosum. Materials and methods. The median whole mounts (about4 mm thick) of the corpus callosum (including the transparent septum and the structures of the fornix) of 10 men aged 36 to 60 years were used in the course of the study. Some of the mounts underwent a complete plastination in epoxy resin. After this they were used to make polished slices, stained with a 1% solution of methylene blue in a 1% borax solution. The remaining mounts of corpus callosum were used to make serial paraffin sections with further hematoxylin and eosin and Van Gieson’s stain. Results. It has been established that the pillars of the fornix enter the body of the corpus callosum on the border between its trunk and splenium. In the area of contact between the fornix body and the corpus callosum there is a loosened scissura, which gradually narrows toward the splenium and then disappears leading to the complete consolidation of the fornix and corpus callosum. This consolidation is expressed in the fact that the interfunculary connective tissue septa of the latter penetrate into the body of the fornix and as a result it is divided into the cabled-like assemblies of myelinated nerve fibers. However, unlike the corpus callosum, this division is not complete: it concerns only the layer of the fornix that is directly attached to the corpus callosum. Conclusions. On the boundary between the corpus callosum trunk and its splenium, that is, in the area of its isthmus, the commutation interconnection between the conducting system of the limbic brain and the commissural pathways of the neopallium is structurally fixed

Effects of Thermal Treatments on Compact and Nanotubular Anodic Films on Titanium

Introduction Anodization constitutes a surface modification route that allows the design of the structure, chemistry and electronic properties of the films formed by carefully selecting process variables. This versatility is used to modify the surface of permanent titanium implants to improve osseointegration rate. Post anodization heat treatments are often performed to improve the crystallinity of the surface films and this leads to increase of bioactivity. However, thermal treatments may alter not only the crystal structure of anodized oxide film, but also induce growth of thermal oxide or alter the structure of the anodic films. Since anodic films on titanium may be inhomogeneous and porous, the effect of air heat treatments on such complex structures was evaluated in this work. EXPERIMENTAL Flat specimens of commercially pure titanium Grade 2 were used. Anodising was performed in a two-electrode cell with Pt wire as counter electrode. Two acidic solutions were employed, i) TP: 1 mol L -1 H3PO4, ii) TPF: 1 mol.L -1 H3PO4 + 0.3 % HF; for potentiostatic anodization. Post anodization heat treatments at 553, 623, 673 and 723 K during 3 hours and cooling in furnace were conducted. The surface morphology of the specimens was observed by scanning electron microcopy. The crystalline phases were determined by Raman spectroscopy and graze angle X-ray diffraction. Anodic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were performed in borax solution. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION DRX and Raman spectroscopy were complementary used to analyse the crystallographic phases detected and its spatial distribution. Not crystalline phases were detected on mechanical polished titanium (T), anatase was detected in most sites on TP and TPF presents a partial crystalline presence, with sites with anatase, rutile and amorphous film. Changes in colour of heat treated samples are observed in all cases, indicating that a certain degree of change in the surface films has occurred. With Raman spectroscopy an increase in crystalline phase amount was detected in T, TP and TPF samples. The oxide film formed in phosphoric (TP) behaves as a barrier, increasing the corrosion potential, diminishing the current density and increasing the total impedance. On the contrary, anodic films growth in phosphoric and fluoride solution, presents in anodic polarization experiments a similar response than non-anodized samples, but EIS evidences a complex structure of TPF anodic films characterized with two or even three time constants. Thermal treatments in air have different effects on the modified surfaces. On polished titanium, the growth of a thermal oxide is evidenced both on anodic polarization curves and EIS. The thermal oxide layer behaves as a barrier to electronic transfer, acting in a similar way than anodic films. In TP films, the thermal treatments do not produce differences in current density during anodic polarization, while with EIS changes in the inner (compact) and outer (more porous) part of the film are evidenced. Finally, in TPF samples, thermal treatment results in deleterious effects on the barrier efficiency of the anodic layer. Porous TPF films behaves in similar way than polished titanium in anodic polarization tests, since the thermal treatment induce diminish in current densities. However, EIS results indicates a deleterious effect of the thermal treatment on the anodic layer, evidenced by a diminish in the total impedance in Bode plots, and the appearance of a capacitive film governing the EIS response. The electrochemical evidence suggests the rupture of the anodic film of TPF during thermal treatments, corroborating Raman and GDRX results and also SEM evidence. It may be concluded that careful analysis of changes in structure both on the surface and in the substrate inner layer may be due in order to evaluate the influence of thermal treatments on the in vivo or in vitro response of surface modified titanium as a permanent implant, since is clear in this report that not only crystallization of amorphous portion of the surface oxide, but also growth, re-ordering and even destruction of anodic films may be occurring.

Robust and fire retardant borate-crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite aerogel via melt-crosslink

A highly robust and flame retardant borate-crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite aerogel is fabricated through a novel melt-crosslink method. In this way, the PVA/MMT hydrogel was prepared by immersing the frozen PVA/MMT sol into a borax solution, inducing crosslinking between diols of PVA and borate exactly during the ice melt. As a result, rearrangement of the polymer chains and subsequent expansion result in finer and more compact network. The corresponding aerogel is obtained by freeze-drying. The optimal crosslinking conditions, including the borax concentration and crosslinking time, are determined by rheology of the hydrogels. This method provides a new idea for the preparation of crosslinked aerogels and improvement of mechanical and flame retardant properties simultaneously. The mechanical strength of the crosslinked aerogel is relatively high among the existing fire safety polymer/nanoclay composite aerogels with 30%–60% loading of inorganic matters at a low density level. The flame retardant properties are indicated by significant improvements of limiting oxygen index (LOI) to a value of 27.6% and achievement of UL-94 V-0 rating and remarkable decrease of the fire indexes in cone calorimetry (CC) test. The combustion behaviors are further studied by the results of SEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Hierarchical levels of the morphological organization of nerve fibers in the human corpus callosum.

Background. At present, the idea of the structural content of corpus callosum is extremely simplified. In fact, in the myeloarchitectonics of the corpus callosum, there is a definite form of order between the structures that form it. Objective. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the nature of the corpus callosum structures organization at the microscopic level. Methods. The material used was plates of total sagittal sections of the corpus callosum of people aged 36 to 60 that were preliminarily fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution. After washing and dehydration, some of them were enclosed in paraffin blocks. After that, serial sections, about 10 mm thick, were obtained from those blocks and further they were stained with hematoxylin and eosin using Van Gieson’s method. The remaining mounts of sagittal sections of the corpus callosum were subjected to plastination in epoxy resin. After complete polymerization, polished sections of different thicknesses with the preparations of the corpus callosum in them were obtained from the epoxy plates. Then they were stained with a 1% solution of methylene blue in 1% borax solution. The study of paraffin sections and epoxy sections was carried out with the help of a binocular magnifier МБС-9 and a light microscope Конус equipped with a digital photo adapter. Results. In the corpus callosum a certain number of isolated commissural ropes is integrated. They consist of a dense aggregate of stratified sections - fascicular choruses, which in turn are separated by narrow interstitial spaces in which capillary-type blood microvessels are localized. These interfascicular layers provide lateral spurs dividing fascicular portions into segments - subfascicular portions. Within the subfascicular portions, nodal cells are dispersed, in which interfascicular oligodendrocytes form a dense cellular network. Within their limits the most minimal sets of myelinated nerve fibers called cellular portions are concentrated. Conclusion. The existence of four levels of the structural organization of commissural conductors in the corpus callosum is established. They are in a superordinate order: 1 - commissural cords - subunits of the corpus callosum; 2 - fascicular portions - subunits of commissural ropes; 3 - subfascicular portions - subunits of fascicular choruses; 4 - cellular portions - the most minimal set of myelinated nerve fibers. All these elements are integrated into a single system of commissural tracts by a complex network of interstitial interlayers, the organization of which is subordinated to the character of blood microvessels branching.

Evaluation of processed borax as antidote for aconite poisoning

Aconite root is very poisonous; causes cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. There is no specific antidote for aconite poisoning. In Ayurveda, dehydrated borax is mentioned for management of aconite poisoning. The investigation evaluated antidotal effect of processed borax against acute and sub-acute toxicity, cardiac toxicity and neuro-muscular toxicity caused by raw aconite. For acute protection Study, single dose of toxicant (35mg/kg) and test drug (22.5mg/kg and 112.5mg/kg) was administered orally, and then 24h survival of animals was observed. The schedule was continued for 30 days in sub-acute protection Study with daily doses of toxicant (6.25mg/kg), test drug (22.5mg/kg and 112.5mg/kg) and vehicle. Hematological and biochemical tests of blood and serum, histopathology of vital organs were carried out. The cardiac activity Study was continued for 30 days with daily doses of toxicant (6.25mg/kg), test drug (22.5mg/kg), processed borax solution (22.5mg/kg) and vehicle; ECG was taken after 1h of drug administration on 1TB, 15th and on 30th day. For neuro-muscular activity Study, the leech dorsal muscle response to 2.5µg of acetylcholine followed by response of toxicant at 25µg and 50µg doses and then response of test drug at 25µg dose were recorded. Protection index indicates that treated borax gave protection to 50% rats exposed to the lethal dose of toxicant in acute protection Study. Most of the changes in hematological, biochemical parameters and histopathological Study induced by the toxicant in sub-acute protection Study were reversed significantly by the test drug treatment. The ventricular premature beat and ventricular tachyarrhythmia caused by the toxicant were reversed by the test drug indicate reversal of toxicant induced cardio-toxicity. The acetylcholine induced contractions in leech muscle were inhibited by toxicant and it was reversed by test drug treatment. The processed borax solution is found as an effective protective agent to acute and sub-acute aconite poisoning, and aconite induced cardiac and neuro-muscular toxicity. Processed borax at therapeutic dose (22.5mg/kg) has shown better antidotal activity profile than five times more than therapeutic dose (112.5mg/kg).

Capture ofZeugodacus cucurbitae(Diptera: Tephritidae) in Traps Baited with Torula Yeast Solution Versus Cucumber Volatile Plugs

Several species of invasive fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are among the most damaging pests of agricultural crops in the world. Detection of these pests relies primarily on traps baited with male-specific lures. Traps with protein food baits are also employed to attract females, but these baits are fairly weak, and there is considerable interest in developing more powerful lures for female tephritids. Recently, a plug that emits cucumber volatiles was developed as a lure for cucurbit-infesting species, and a recent field study showed that traps baited with these plugs attracted more females of the Australian cucurbit pest Bactrocera cucumis (French) than traps containing a protein bait. The objective of the present study was to gather additional data regarding captures of a closely related species, the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), in traps baited with a torula yeast and borax (TYB) solution (a standard food lure) compared with traps baited with the cucumber volatile (CV) plug. Data collected from 5 locations on Oahu, Hawaii, showed that traps baited with the TYB solution captured significantly more melon flies than traps baited with the CV plugs. At 4 sites, where hosts were scattered, melon fly captures were relatively low, and males were trapped in significantly greater numbers than females in both TYB- and CV-baited traps. At the remaining site, hosts were very abundant, melon fly captures were high, and females were trapped in significantly greater numbers than males in both TYB- and CV-baited traps. Possible explanations for the superior performance of TYB-baited traps are discussed.

THE FEATURES OF BLOOD SUPPLY OF CORPUS CALLOSUM AND THE STRUCTURE OF ITS HEMOMICROCIRCULATORY CHANNEL

Today we know the location of the sources of arterial blood delivery to the corpus callosum and we can approximately say, where are situated the venous vessels that the blood outflows from it to, but it is absolutely unknown, what is the intermediate link – the blood microcirculatory channel. Aim of research. The aim of our research is in identification of the ways of venous outflow from corpus callosum and in clarification of the principle of structural organization of its hemomicrocirculatory channel. Materials and methods. In the work are used the median total preparations of the corpus callosum (together with septum pellucidum and cerebral fornix formations) of 10 men 36–60 years old. Histological paraffin sections, colored by hematoxylin and eosin and according to Van-gieson were made of these preparations, and the methods of plastination of the corpus callosum tissues in epoxy resin with further creation of polished sections of different width and serial fine sections of blocs, for which coloration served the 1 % solution of blue methene for 1% borax solution, were also used. Results. It was established, that the arterial microvessels, starting from vascular plexus that covers the upper surface of corpus callosum, penetrate it as arterioles along interfunicular connective tissue septs that divide its commissural funicles between them. The arterioles are prolonged directly in venous microvessels that can be related to gathering venules. These direct microvascular communications, coming through the thickness of corpus callosum, can be named perforating arteriolovenular anastomoses. The aforesaid collector venules, localized in the lowest sections of interfunicular interlayers, are the direct inflows of venous channel of septum pellucidum. In general system of blood supply of corpus callosum the main arteries on the one side and the veins of septum pellucidum – on the other, are not accompanied by the vessels of opposite type. Conclusions. The blood microcirculatory channel of corpus callosum is the complexly branched in its thickness net of resistive, metabolic and capacitive microvessels, placed on the running way between arterial channel of soft cerebral tunic that covers the upper surface of corpus callosum and collector veins of septum pellucidum, situated below it. The direct shunting tracts between them are perforating arteriolovenular anastomoses.

EFFECT OF DISCHARGE TIME ON PLASMA ELECTROLYTIC BOROCARBONITRIDING OF PURE IRON

The plasma electrolytic borocarbonitriding (PEB/C/N) process on pure iron was carried out in 25% borax solution with glycerine and carbamide additives under different discharge time at 360[Formula: see text]V. The morphology and structure of PEB/C/N hardened layers were analyzed by SEM and XRD. The hardness profiles of hardened layers were measured by microhardness test. Corrosion behavior of PEB/C/N layers was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Their wear performance was carried out using a pin-disc friction and wear tester under dry sliding test. The PEB/C/N samples mainly consisted of [Formula: see text]-Fe, Fe2B, Fe3C, FeN, FeB, Fe2O3 and Fe4N phases, and the Fe2B phase was the dominant phase in the boride layer. It was found that the thickness of boride layer increased with the discharge time and reached 14[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m after 60[Formula: see text]min treatment. The microhardness of the boride layer was up to 2100[Formula: see text]HV, which was much higher than that of the bare pure iron (about 150[Formula: see text]HV). After PEB/C/N treatment, the corrosion resistance of pure iron was slightly improved. The friction coefficient of PEB/C/N treated pure iron decreased to 0.129 from 0.556 of pure iron substrate. The wear rate of the PEB/C/N layer after 60[Formula: see text]min under dry sliding against ZrO2 ball was only 1/10 of that of the bare pure iron. The PEB/C/N treatment is an effective way to improve the wear behavior of pure iron.

Experimental Study on Flow Characteristics with Gel Reaction in a Non–Element Mixer

Flow characteristics with gel reaction of 10 mass% PVA and 3 mass% borax solutions in a Non–element mixer were experimentally investigated. The mixer consisted of a transparent main flow pipe and transparent branch flow pipes that were connected vertically to the main flow pipe. The PVA solution was supplied to the main flow pipe at a constant inlet pressure 20 kPa. The Reynolds number of the main flow (Re) was varied from 0.5 to 10.0. The borax solution was dyed blue to visualize the flow patterns and was injected periodically from one of the branch flow pipes at a mean speed of 40 mm/s. A pressure sensor was used to measure the pressure variation at 100 mm upstream from the first branch flow pipe. When Re was low, the borax periodically formed a capsule-like slug similar to those that occur in multiphase flows. As Re was increased, the borax capsule was stretched by the shear stress of the main flow and adhered to the upside wall of the mixer. At Re=10.0, the pipe was prone to becoming blocked by excess gel product, which resulted in the pressure increasing to the inlet pressure of the system.

FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PLASMA ELECTROLYTIC BOROCARBURIZED LAYERS ON Q235 LOW-CARBON STEEL AT DIFFERENT DISCHARGE VOLTAGES

The influence of applied voltage on the plasma electrolytic borocarburizing (PEB/C) layer of Q235 low-carbon steel in high-concentration borax solution was investigated. XRD and XPS spectra of PEB/C layer confirmed that the modified boride layer mainly consisted of Fe2B phase, and the FeB phase only exists in the loose top layer. The applied voltage on Q235 steel played a key role in determining the properties of hardened layers. The thickness and microhardness of boride layers increased with the increase of the applied voltage, which led to superior corrosion and wear resistances of Q235 low-carbon steel. The diffusion coefficient ([Formula: see text] of boride layer at 280, 300 and 330[Formula: see text]V increased with borocarburizing temperature and ranged from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2/s to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2/s. The activation energy ([Formula: see text] of boride layer growth during PEB/C treatment was only 52.83[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], which was much lower than that of the conventional boriding process.

Electrolyzing synthesis of boron-doped graphene quantum dots for fluorescence determination of Fe3+ ions in water samples

This work reports a facile electrolyzing method to synthesize boron-doped graphene quantum dots (BGQDs) and uses the BGQDs as a fluorescent probe to determine Fe3+ ion levels in water samples. The BGQDs were produced by oxidizing graphite in an aqueous borax solution at pH 7; then, the borate solution was filtered with BGQDs, and the borate was dialyzed from the filtrate, leaving a solution of BGQDs in water. The amount of the B in the BGQDs can be adjusted by changing the concentration of borax used for the electrolyte. The excitation wavelength- and B amount-dependent fluorescence characteristics of BQGDs were studied. The fluorescence intensity of the BGQDs is measurable in real time, and its quenching is very sensitive to the concentration of Fe3+ ions in the system but not to other possible coexisting metal ions. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of Fe3+ ions to BGQDs is studied and explained based on electrochemical voltammetry and DFT simulations. The analytical signal, which is defined as F0/F, where F0 and F are the fluorescence intensities of the BGQDs before and after interaction with Fe3+ ions, respectively, displays a good linear relationship in the Fe3+ ion concentration range of 0.01–100µm with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a limit of detection (LOD) of ~(0.005±0.001) μM. The LOD value is much lower than the water quality standards for Fe3+ ions (0.3ppm, ~5.36µm) in drinking water suggested by the WHO (World Health Organization) and EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), implying that this method has great potential for applications in real sample assays. For example, the determination of the Fe3+ ion levels in three water samples (tap water, groundwater, and lake water) gives approximately the same results as those determined by the EPA-recommended AAS (atomic adsorption spectroscopy) method.

A new extraction method to assess the environmental availability of ciprofloxacin in agricultural soils amended with exogenous organic matter

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin can be found in soils receiving exogenous organic matter (EOM). Their long-term behavior in EOM-amended soils and their level of biodegradability are not well understood partly due to a lack of methods to estimate their environmental availability. We performed different aqueous extractions to quantify the available fraction of 14C-ciprofloxacin in soils amended with a compost of sewage sludge and green wastes or a farmyard manure contaminated at relevant environmental concentrations.After minimizing 14C-ciprofloxacin losses by adsorption on laboratory vessel tubes, three out of eleven different aqueous solutions were selected, i.e., Borax, Na2EDTA and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. During 28 d of incubation, the non-extractable fractions were very high in all samples, i.e., 57–67% of the initial 14C-activity, and the availability of the antibiotic was very low, explaining its low biodegradation. A maximum of 6.3% of the initial 14C-activity was extracted from soil/compost mixtures with the Na2EDTA solution, and 7.2% from soil/manure mixtures with the Borax solution. The available fraction level was stable over the incubation in soil/compost mixtures but slightly varied in soil/manure mixtures following the organic matter decomposition.The choice of different soft extractants highlighted different sorption mechanisms controlling the environmental availability of ciprofloxacin, where the pH and the quality of the applied EOM appeared to be determinant.