Box-Behnken Design Research Articles

Coprecipitation of nicotinic acid in PVP by gas antisolvent technique using Box-Behnken design

Nicotinic acid is a water-soluble compound recognized in the medical field for its ability to decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additionally, nicotinic acid is used to alleviate the effects of heat stress in ruminant animals. The supercritical gas antisolvent technique was employed using carbon dioxide to encapsulate nicotinic acid in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using ethanol + acetone. Encapsulation efficiency, process yield and crystallite size data were evaluated using the Box-Behnken design. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry quantified the encapsulation efficiency at (13.1 to 66.9)%, and the same technique was used to determine that the encapsulation of nicotinic acid increased the dissolution rate compared to the pure compound. A residual solvent level was quantified at least 33 times lower than the maximum permitted level. The encapsulation was shown to protect the active ingredient in thermal degradation tests in a climatic chamber. XRPD showed the stability of the crystalline structure of niacin after encapsulation, and the effects on its microstructure were evaluated using Rietveld analysis. Spectroscopic analysis showed evidence of intermolecular bonding between nicotinic acid particles and PVP. An average particle size of (80.4 to 238.9) µm was obtained by SEM analysis.

H2-Rich Gas Production from Gasification of Oily Sludge via Supercritical Water Technology: Synergy Effect of KOH, K2CO3, and Reaction Parameters

Yielding H2 as a sustainable gaseous fuel from oily sludge is of critical importance in mitigating the environmental effects linked with the usage of conventional fossil fuels. The deficiency in the drying of biomass has ensued to the exploration of supercritical water gasification (SCWG) as an effective method for harvesting H2-rich gas. This study utilized a combination of two alkali catalysts (KOH and K2CO3) in supercritical water to generate a H2-rich gas from a conventional oily sludge. The Box-Behnken design was utilized to assess the impact of different operational variables, including temperature (400-600°C), feed concentration (FC) (between 5 and 25 wt.%), residence time (RT) (15-45 min), and catalyst to feed mass ratios (FMR) (0-0.50). The maximum production of H2 at 3.22 mmolg-feed-1 was achieved under optimal conditions of 600°C, 32.76 min, and a KOH to FMR of 0.45 and K2CO3 to FMR of 0.28.

Application of Box-Behnken design in the optimization and development of albendazole-loaded zein nanoparticles as a drug repurposing approach for colorectal cancer management

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cancer worldwide representing a major global health challenge. Numerous effective anticancer drugs have been developed in the last decade, yet the problem remains due to their low therapeutic index and nonspecificity. A new anticancer therapeutic paradigm is based on repurposing and nanoformulating drugs. Albendazole (ALB), a popular anthelmintic agent, was recently repurposed against CRC cells. In this study zein, an amphiphilic protein, was used to formulate nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with ALB. Box-Behnken design was selected to optimize the loaded NPs, the concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol, acetic acid, and the weight of zein were the independent variables. The dependent variables were the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. The optimized formula displayed a size of 84.3 ± 0.41 nm, PDI 0.13 ± 0.012, and a zeta potential of 42.5 ± 2.35 mV. ALB was successfully encapsulated into zein NPs and the release study revealed a desirable pH-responsive drug release behavior, that was negligible discharge during the first 2 h at pH 1.2 and progressive in the simulated colon environment reaching 71.1 ± 0.34 % at 6 h and 92.4 ± 1.11 % at 24 h. The anticancer effect of the loaded NPs on the human HCT116 cells showed favorable effects at 1 μM concentrations with a significant decrease in the IC50 at days 2 and 3 upon loading albendazole into zein NPs. ZNPs proved to be prospective nanocarriers that could be used for the delivery of repurposed drugs in CRC treatment.

Integrated adsorption and electrochemical sensing of Th(IV) ions using graphene oxide and chitosan decorated magnetite-based adsorbent.

Nuclear waste management is a crucial aspect as the most significant threat to the ecosystem is caused by radioactive waste in which thorium contamination remains a prominent issue. This work represents an integrated approach for the elimination of thorium through the adsorption technique and subsequent electrochemical sensing using Magnetite@Graphene Oxide@Chitosan (M@GO@Cs). Moreover, the sorption of Th(IV) ions is optimized through batch studies, which are consistent with the results derived from ANOVA using the Box-Behnken Design model, and the ideal parameters resulted in 95.79% removal efficiency of Th(IV) ions using 6 mg of adsorbent in 10 mL of 50 mg/L Th(IV) ions solution at a pH of 5 within 20 min. Maximum adsorption capacity (833.33 mg/g) is obtained from Langmuir adsorption isotherm and process was aligned with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. M@GO@Cs exhibited high recyclability sustaining high performance across nine consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles while maintaining excellent removal efficiency upto 85%. Furthermore, the electrochemical characterization of the synthesized M@GO@Cs nanoadsorbent was studied using the Cyclic Voltammetry, and Electron Impedance Spectroscopy techniques and quantification of Th(IV) ions was done utilizing the Differential Pulse Voltammetry method with the Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.2 mg/L within a linear range of 10-100 mg/L.

Response Surface Methodology for Optimisation of Parameter on Water Absorption of Natural Fibre Hybrid Composite in Boat Construction

Today, the utilisation of natural or green fibre has supplanted engineered fibre as fibreglass has become a pattern in composite boat producing and other gears because of its lightweight, excellent relative mechanical properties, and more significant elements. For example, it is eco-accommodating, has manageable materials, and has lower costs compared to fibreglass. The utilisation of fibreglass is costly and has a high effect on the natural biological system. It also gets over the area of ecological contamination, word-related well-being, and security concerns. This study used the Woven Kenaf/fibreglass as reinforcement and polyester as matric to fabricate hybrid composite coupons. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) of Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied to optimise fibre contents (35 to 75 wt%) and water absorption performance for the development of Woven Kenaf/fibreglass to polyester hybrid composite material based on the parameters. The BBD revealed that 45% Woven Kenaf/fibreglass to polyester performed the optimum fibre content and water absorption. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed that the model satisfactorily correlated the parameters. After immersion, 45% Woven Kenaf/fibreglass to polyester composite also gained 9.48% weight.

Optimization of Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B and Indigo Carmine Dyes Using Eco‐Friendly Kaolinite‐Silver Oxide Quantum Dots Nanocomposite Under Sunlight Irradiation

ABSTRACTIn this work, we present a simple method for the pyrofabrication of a new kaolinite‐ silver oxide quantum dots nanocomposite (Kao‐Ag2O/QDs) that is used for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and indigo carmine (IC) dyes. A homogenous combination of kaolinite and silver nitrate was sintered up to 350 °C to create the extremely effective photocatalyst (Kao‐Ag2O/QDs). Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize the Kao‐Ag2O/QDs photocatalyst such as XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM–EDX, TEM, DTA/TGA, ZP, BET, and UV–Vis DRS. The degradation of RhB and IC dyes through the photocatalyst was carried out in aqueous solutions utilizing several pH dye solutions and sustainable solar energy in atmosphere conditions. The nanocomposite that was prepared had shown an enhanced specific surface area of 53.3005 m2/g, a pore size of 8.1197 nm, and a total pore volume of 0.216 cm3/g. It also displayed an optical band gap energy of 2.9 eV. The study creates that employing the ideal dose of 2000 and 1500 mg/L of the Kao‐Ag2O/QDs photocatalyst at neutral conditions (pH = 7) resulted a maximum degradation effectiveness of RhB and IC of 91.06 and 93.46% after 90 min, respectively. RhB and IC dyes degradation followed Langmuir first‐order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.0217 and 0.0216 min−1 at pH = 7, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation activity for RhB dye is based on hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) and superoxide radicals (˙O2−), while the mechanism of IC removal is based on superoxide radicals (˙O2−), as revealed by scavenger‐based radical trapping studies. A triple reusability study found that the Kao‐Ag2O photocatalyst is highly stable with degradation efficiencies of RhB and IC dyes from the initial 91.09 to 90.04, 88.54, and 86.27% and from the initial 93.46 to 92.8, 91.4 and 89.32%, respectively. The optimal situations for the parameters were identified by the Box–Behnken design (BBD), which was well matched with photocatalytic degradation tests.

Understanding the production and reduction of barium sulfate crystals through the use of additives and a controlled stirring rate

Barium sulfate crystals are minerals responsible for scaling in piping systems. Controlling the growth of these crystals can use additives (FeCl2 and SrCl2) and varying agitation speeds. The research was to optimize the impact of additives and agitation speed on the results of crystal form using RSM through Minitab 19 with Box-Behnken Design. The optimum conditions using additive FeCl2 at a concentration of 25 ppm, a stirring speed of 120 rpm for 30 minutes, and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 90.995 provided 0.4485 gr of barium sulfate crystals. The optimum conditions, however, used SrCl2 additives at a concentration of 20.2049 ppm and a stirring speed of 459.394 rpm for 30 minutes, yielding 0.4345 g of barium sulfates with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 91.41%. The results of crystallizing barium sulfate without additives appear to be superior to those obtained with additives in terms of production. In contrast, additives of FeCl2 and SrCl2 can inhibit barium sulfate formation, resulting in a reduction in crystal mass

Development and optimization of hydrogel-forming microneedles fabricated with 3d-printed molds for enhanced dermal diclofenac sodium delivery: a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo study.

With the developing manufacturing technologies, the use of 3D printers in microneedle production is becoming widespread. Hydrogel-forming microneedles (HFMs), a variant of microneedles, demonstrate distinctive features such as a high loading capacity and controlled drug release. In this study, the conical microneedle master molds with approximately 500μm needle height and 250μm base diameter were created using a Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer and were utilized to fabricate composite HFMs containing diclofenac sodium. Using Box-Behnken Design, the effects of different polymers on swelling index and mechanical strength of the developed HFMs were evaluated. The optimum HFMs were selected according to experimental design results with the aim of the highest mechanical strength with varying swelling indexes, which was needed to use 20% Gantrez S97 and 0.1% (F22), 0.42% (F23), and 1% (F24) hyaluronic acid. The skin penetration and drug release properties of the optimum formulations were assessed. Ex vivo studies were conducted on formulations to determine drug penetration and accumulation. F24, which has the highest mechanical strength and optimized swelling index, achieved the highest drug accumulation in the skin tissue (17.70 ± 3.66%). All optimum HFMs were found to be non-cytotoxic by the MTT cell viability test (> 70% cell viability). In in vivo studies, the efficacy of the F24 was assessed for the treatment of xylene-induced ear edema by contrasting it to the conventional dosage form. It was revealed that HFMs might be an improved replacement for conventional dosage forms in terms of dermal diseases such as actinic keratosis.

Optimizing energy absorption and peak force in metal/glass fiber sandwich panels with trapezoidal cores

Sandwich panels with trapezoidal metal/glass fiber cores are increasingly popular due to their lightweight and energy-absorption properties. This study employs response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design to investigate the effects of core angle, fiber orientation, and MCM-48 nanoparticles on the panels’ energy absorption and peak force, developing regression models with high R2 values of 0.9027 and 0.9228, respectively. Experimental tests were conducted to validate these models, showing minimal deviation from predicted values. Results indicate that increasing the fiber orientation angle from 30° to 90° enhances energy absorption and peak force by 72.18 and 46.9%, respectively, and adding MCM-48 nanoparticles up to 0.25% weight improves energy absorption by 60.8%. A core angle of 52° balances energy absorption and peak force, while integrating a metal wire mesh within the panels significantly enhances energy absorption and reduces core brittleness. The optimal parameters for maximum energy absorption and minimum peak force include a core angle of 58°, fiber orientation of 73.5°, and no nanoparticles. These findings provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of sandwich panels for various applications.

Eucalyptus oil nanoemulsion for enhanced skin deposition of fluticasone propionate in psoriatic plaques: A combinatorial anti-inflammatory effect to suppress implicated cytokines.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects patients' quality of life. This study aimed to enhance the efficacy of topical application of fluticasone propionate (FP) using a eucalyptus oil-based nanoemulsion, an oil possessing anti-inflammatory activity and extracted from the leaves, fruits, and buds of Eucalyptus globulus or Eucalyptus maidenii, to improve the skin deposition of FP and aid its anti-inflammatory effect. Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize NE formulations, which were characterized for globule size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, rheological behavior, microscopic morphology, ex vivo skin permeation/deposition, and in vivo efficacy using imiquimod-induced psoriatic lesions. The optimized formulation depicted a droplet size of 188 ± 22.4 nm, a zeta potential of -17.63 ± 1.66 mV, and a viscosity of 204.9 mPa s. In addition to the increased FP retention in different skin layers caused by the NE and the reduced PASI score compared to the marketed cream, the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-6, IL17a were markedly lowered, indicating the improved anti-psoriatic curable efficacy of the optimized formulation in comparison to the FP-marketed product.

Optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic antioxidants from Cistus salvifoliusL. using response surface methodology.

The current work aims to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of Cistus salviifolius L. (aerial parts) antioxidative phenolic compounds using response surface methodology. A Box-Behnken design has been conducted to investigate the effect of four factors, namely: (i) percentage of ethanol (50-90%, v/v), (ii) temperature (40-80°C), (iii) solvent-solid ratio (10-50 mL g-1) and (iv) extraction time (5-25min) on four responses, namely: total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Based on the desirability index, UAE with 50% (v/v) ethanol, at 80 oC, using a solvent-solid ratio of 32.24 mL g-1, for 21 min resulted in the maximum recovery of phenolic antioxidants. Under optimum conditions, the experimental values of TPC, TFC, % DPPH scavenging activity, and FRAP were 171.67 ± 4.69 mg GAE g-1, 26.87 ± 0.78 mg CE g-1, 81.31 ± 0.16%, and 1038.22 ± 7.69 μmol TE g-1, respectively. Results highlight that the developed eco-friendly method is appropriate for the improved recovery of phenolic antioxidants from C. salviifolius L.

Toxicological impacts of plastic microfibers from face masks on Artemia salina: An environmental assessment using Box-Behnken design

An increase in global plastic manufacturing and subsequent disposal has resulted in widespread increase in microplastic pollution. Particularly, the post-COVID surge in face mask usage has introduced significant volumes of synthetic plastic microfibers into the environment, posing new ecological risks. Present study examines the toxicological impacts of face mask derived microfibers on Artemia salina, a key marine zooplankton species, using the Box-Behnken design to assess the effects of microfiber dosage (0.1 mg/L- 5 mg/L), salinity (0.5 ppt–30 ppt), temperature (10 °C-45 °C), and cyst stocking density (10 cysts/L-100 cysts/L) on hatching efficiency and swimming competencies. Results demonstrated that higher microfiber dosages (2.5 mg/L-5 mg/L) significantly reduced the hatching efficiencies and swimming competencies, while temperature and cyst density also modulated these effects. Additionally, survival assays indicated a significant reduction in survival rates with increasing microfiber concentrations, attributed to the bioaccumulation, oxidative stress and developmental deformities in the organism. The study further explores the leaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter and turbidity, revealing a direct correlation with microfiber dosage and exposure duration. These findings underscore the urgent need for mitigation strategies to address microfiber pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems. Data presented from the research provides valuable insights into the environmental impacts of plastic microfiber contamination, emphasizing the necessity for continued investigation into effective solutions for managing plastic waste.

An eco-friendly kapok fiber-supported liquid microextraction using natural deep eutectic solvent as extractant for convenient biological samples preparations: A proof-of-concept study

The use of natural materials and reagents is crucial for developing environmentally friendly methods. This study proposed an excellent green, convenient, cost-effective and rapid sample preparation method called kapok fiber-supported liquid-phase microextraction using natural deep eutectic solvent (KF-SLME-NADES). Natural kapok fiber and NADES were used as greener alternatives to conventional support medium and extractants. Low-toxic ethanol was employed as the desorption solvent. The extraction process was streamlined in a syringe form, allowing for simple pull-push operations. As a proof of concept, the developed methodology was utilized for extracting antidepressants from 3 mL of diluted biological fluids. The optimized KF-SLME-NADES conditions were obtained by single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken design as follows: 2 mg of kapok fiber, 13 μL of NADES composed of menthol and thymol in an equal molar ratio as the extractant, a sampling solution with a pH of 8.0, a desorption solution of 100 μL of ethanol, and four pull-push cycles for both extraction and elution. The validated method provided good linearity (0.05–5.00 μg/mL, R2 > 0.999) and possessed limits of quantification spanning from 0.025 to 0.048 μg/mL. Satisfied accuracies and precisions were obtained with relative recoveries ranging in 93.3–107.2% and intra- and inter-day RSD(%) being below 7.7%. The method greenness was found to be excellent by assessing five greenness evaluation metrics. The devised KF-SLME-NADES strategy provides a sustainable and effective method for bioanalysis.

Reappraisal of different agro-industrial waste for the optimization of cellulase production from Aspergillus niger ITV02 in a liquid medium using a Box-Benkhen design.

High-value metabolites, such as enzymes and biofuels, can be produced from various agro-industrial waste containing high percentages of cellulose and hemicellulose. Aspergillus niger ITV02 demonstrates high potential in cellulases production, the key enzyme for converting lignocellulosic materials into fermentable sugars to produce second-generation bioethanol (bioethanol 2G). This study evaluated five lignocellulosic residues of agricultural importance: sugarcane bagasse (SCB), sorghum bagasse (SB), corn stubble (CS), barley straw (BS) and rice husk (RH) as substrates for cellulase production. The temperature, pH and stirring conditions were optimized using a Box-Behnken design to identify the most suitable conditions for cellulase production while minimizing nitrogen concentrations. The results indicate that the best way of propagation A. niger ITV02 is through the use of spores as an inoculant, in conjunction with the use of materials with a high cellulose/lignin ratio, such as CS and SB for the generation of cellulases. These conditions promote the expression of cellulases towards β-glucosidase production, unlike materials with lower cellulose/lignin ratios like BS and RH, which exhibited lower cellulase activity. The optimal conditions for cellulase production by A. niger ITV02 were determined to be 33 °C, pH 5.3, and 200rpm, resulting in a 1.7-fold increase in Exoglucanase (FPase activity) (from 0.127 to 0.215 U/mL). These findings demonstrate the potential to enhance FPase activity by utilizing substrates with high cellulose/lignin content and implementing optimal operational conditions without the need to raise the nitrogen content of the basal medium, thus mitigating the economic impact of cellulase production.

Unveiling six novel bacterial strains for fipronil and thiobencarb biodegradation: efficacy, metabolic pathways, and bioaugmentation potential in paddy soil

IntroductionSoil bacteria offer a promising approach to bioremediate pesticide contamination in agricultural ecosystems. This study investigated the potential of bacteria isolated from rice paddy soil for bioremediating fipronil and thiobencarb, common agricultural pesticides.MethodsBacterial isolates capable of degrading fipronil and thiobencarb were enriched in a mineral salt medium. A response surface methodology with a Box-Behnken design was utilized to optimize pesticide degradation with the isolated bacteria. Bioaugmentation tests were performed in paddy soils with varying conditions.Results and discussionSix strains, including single isolates and their mixture, efficiently degraded these pesticides at high concentrations (up to 800 µg/mL). Enterobacter sp., Brucella sp. (alone and combined), and a mixture of Stenotrophomonas sp., Bordetella sp., and Citrobacter sp. effectively degraded fipronil and thiobencarb, respectively. Notably, a single Pseudomonas sp. strain degraded a mixture of both pesticides. Optimal degradation conditions were identified as a slightly acidic pH (6-7), moderate pesticide concentrations (20-50 µg/mL), and a specific inoculum size. Bioaugmentation assays in real-world paddy soils (sterile/non-sterile, varying moisture) demonstrated that these bacteria significantly increased degradation rates (up to 14.15-fold for fipronil and 5.13-fold for thiobencarb). The study identifies these novel bacterial strains as promising tools for bioremediation and bioaugmentation strategies to tackle fipronil and thiobencarb contamination in paddy ecosystems.

Influence of different wire materials on the machining of Albromet W130 by WEDM

Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) is an unconventional machining technology, widely spread in different sectors of many industries. The machining uses periodically repeating electrical impulses, which allows all materials with at least a minimum electrical conductivity to be machined. The machining tool is a thin wire that can be made of many different materials. Wire electrode material requirements vary from industry to industry. This study aimed to increase the efficiency of WEDM through an analysis of the influence of the type of wire material on the machining of Albromet W130 copper alloy. The analysis comprised a molybdenum, brass and a copper wire of a 0.25 mm diameter and a Box-Behnken design of experiment totalling 42 rounds. The design of experiment results analysis covered cutting speed, machined surfaces’ topography and morphology, and the subsurface layer condition. Furthermore, an analysis of the wire electrodes used in the experiment was carried out. The highest cutting speed was achieved using a copper wire and the lowest R a values were achieved in samples machined with a molybdenum wire.

Optimization of extraction process of polysaccharide from Phylloporia fontanesiae and its simulated digestion in vitro.

In this study, Phylloporia fontanesiae polysaccharide was successfully isolated through a sequential water extraction and alcohol precipitation process. Utilizing the Box-Behnken design, the extraction process was optimized based on single-factor experiments, considering variables such as the material-to-liquid ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time, and the number of extractions. The polysaccharide composition of P. fontanesiae is predominantly composed of mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, and galactose, with a molar mass ratio of 4.31:4.10:36.83:1, along with minor amounts of aminoglucose and fucose. The polysaccharide fraction of P. fontanesiae comprises two distinct components, possessing relative molecular masses of 8.85kDa and 134.03kDa. Notably, the polysaccharide exhibited significant antioxidant activity. After undergoing simulated gastrointestinal digestion, no significant changes were observed in its antioxidant activity, molecular weight, or monosaccharide composition. This study not only enhanced the extraction efficiency of P. fontanesiae polysaccharide but also provided valuable insights into its composition, structure, and digestion characteristics. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The optimum extraction process, stability, and antioxidant activity of Phylloporia fontanesiae polysaccharide during simulated digestion of gastrointestinal tract were studied. The results provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of this polysaccharide in the field of food and health products.

Toxicity optimization of green zinc oxide quantum dots in zebrafish using Box-Behnken design: a novel approach for safer nanoparticle synthesis

Zinc oxide quantum dots, also known as ZnO QDs, are highly desirable due to their numerous favorable characteristics, such as their beneficial photoluminescence, solubility in water, along with sunlight absorption. They are well-suited for use in biomedical applications, drugs, and bioimaging. However, study on the in-vivo toxicology of these QDs is needed before they can be used in humans. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are cheap, fast-growing, and similar to humans, which makes them ideal as in vivo model for studying the toxicity of nanomaterials. The toxicity investigations involving zinc oxide QDs (ZnO QDs) and zinc oxide bionanocomposite (ZnO BC) in zebrafish that were concentration-dependent are evaluated, and the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was utilized to optimize the results. To determine the proper dosage, a study on cell line as well as hemocompatibility was carried out prior to testing the toxic effects of ZnO QDs along with ZnO BC upon zebrafish. When administered at 2.5 μg/l of ZnO BC and 2 μg/l of ZnO QDs, neither ZnO BC nor ZnO QDs appeared to be toxic to embryos during hatching and development. The testing of larval behavior in visible light revealed a dose-dependent decrease in both the total diving distance as well as speed. Nevertheless, at ZnO BC and ZnO QDs levels >250 μg/l and >200 μg/l, respectively, notable effects were seen in zebrafish embryos. Hence, ZnO QDs and BC at low concentrations were notably nontoxic. In order to guarantee the safety of nanomaterials in bio applications, this research supports upcoming in-vivo imaging investigations on their harmful effects.

Optimization of monocrystalline silicon solar cell using Box–Behnken design and machine learning models

Optimization of monocrystalline silicon solar cell using Box–Behnken design and machine learning models

Model study on transmission loss of the split-stream rushing exhaust muffler for diesel engine

Numerical simulation was carried out on the transmission loss of the split-stream rushing exhaust muffler, and the accuracy of the simulation method was verified through experiments. Taking the transmission loss as the response value, the experiment was designed by using Box-Behnken module of Design Expert software. A mathematical regression model of transmission loss with experiment factors was established by using the Box-Behnken experimental design scheme, the experiment factors include the diameter of the interior pipe, the shape of the rushing hole, the center distance of the rushing hole, the cone angle of the interior pipe as well as the number of rushing holes, and the mathematical regression model's significance was tested. The response curvatures of second order interaction to the transmission loss by different variables were obtained and the interaction relationships among variables were analyzed. The results showed that the diameter of the interior pipe and the center distance of the rushing hole are the main factors that affect the transmission loss. The transmission loss increases with the increase of the diameter of the interior pipe. When the diameter of the interior pipe is between 70 mm and 80 mm, the transmission loss firstly increases and then decreases with the center distance of the rushing hole changes from Smin to Smax. When the diameter of the interior pipe is between 80 mm and 90 mm, the transmission loss decreases with the center distance of the rushing hole changes from Smin to Smax. The effect of the rushing hole shape on transmission loss is not significant. The transmission loss increases with the increase of the number of rushing holes, but the increase of transmission loss is not significant with the number of rushing holes changes from 4 to 6 groups. Taking the transmission loss as the optimization index, the better experimental condition was obtained. Compared to the not optimized muffler of the sample engine, the average transmission loss of the optimized muffler is increased by 48.70 % when the frequency is 0-1000 Hz, the average insertion loss of the optimized muffler is increased by 7.4 %. At inlet air velocity of 40 m/s, the pressure loss is reduced by 56.8 %.