Box Behnken Research Articles

Unveiling the Power of Surfactant-Based Carbon Dots: Ultrasensitive Detection of Cadmium in Tap and Drinking Water Samples

This study introduces a novel approach for transforming the cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), into fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) capable of detecting cadmium ions at ultralow concentrations. The current approach involves preparing CDs through hydrothermal process at various pH levels. The CDs synthesized using pH 10, CTAB-CDs-10, exhibited the highest fluorescence quantum yield (QY), 14.22%. UV-Vis spectroscopy helped identify specific peaks between 210 and 300 nm, corresponding to the π–π* transitions of the aromatic C=C bonds. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis verified the uniform spherical morphology with a particle size < 2.45 nm. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of C=C stretching vibrations. The Box–Behnken (BB) Design was used to reconnoiter the influence of three variables on the response parameter: the F0/F ratio. The best performance could be achieved at a pH of 9, after only 300 s, and a temperature of 50 °C. The developed CTAB-CDs-based nanoprobe showed an ON–OFF behavior when came in contact with cadmium (II) and demonstrated high sensitivity with a limit of detection as low as 0.06 µM (0.007 ppm) over a wide linear range of 2–103 µM. Validation tests confirmed the applicability of the CTAB-CDs-based nanoprobe for detecting cadmium (II) in tap and drinking waters with high accuracy and precision.

Electrical discharge machining of super alloy incoloy 925: a study based on box behnken design and response surface methodology

Incoloy 925, a Nikel-based superalloy, exhibits low machinability with conventional machining techniques due to its inhomogeneous properties. Therefore, there is a need to establish a non-conventional method to efficiently machine this alloy. This work is a novel attempt to present the electric discharge machining (EDM) of the superalloy Incoloy 925 and subsequent multi-response optimization. The model for the analysis was designed using the Box Behnken Design (BBD) technique, and the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of the results. The machining was performed using a cylindrical copper tool of 11 mm diameter. The effect of pulse-on time (Ton), current, and pulse-off time (Toff) on the material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR) was investigated. The results from variance analysis confirmed the significance of all the three input factors. The investigation revealed that the maximum MRR (99.2154 mm3/min) was obtained at a pulse-on time of 90 μs, pulse-off time of 5 μs, and current of 30 A. The minimum TWR (0.8866 mm3/min) were achieved at Ton = 60 μs, Toff = 8 μs and current = 10 A. The microscopic images of the machined surfaces revealed very few micro-voids and globules and no cracks, resulting in a fine surface finish of 1.2436 μm, achieved through optimal discharge energy transfer and copper electrodes. The optimal values MRR, TWR, and SR according to composite desirability function are 99.1524 mm3/min, 1.0915 mm3/min, and 1.3925 μm. The experimental results were accurately predicted using RSM and an artificial neural network (ANN), with the ANN showing a predicted correlation coefficient (R) close to 1 indicating high accuracy of the model.

Box–behnken design based optimized Quercetin nano formulation for palliative treatment of atopic dermatitis

Box–behnken design based optimized Quercetin nano formulation for palliative treatment of atopic dermatitis

Green diesel synthesis from palm fatty acid distillate using a nickel phosphide catalyst: Optimization by box behnken design

The persistent global energy crisis is propelling significant innovations, including the use of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) as a renewable resource for producing green diesel (GD). Therefore, this study aimed to intensify GD synthesis from PFAD by optimizing the process using a Response Surface Methodology-Box Behnken Design (RSM-BBD). Optimization was achieved with a nickel phosphide catalyst supported by natural zeolite through hydrodeoxygenation method. RSM-BBD was used to design the process, considering time (1−3 h), temperature (300–350 °C), catalyst concentration (5–15 %), and pressure (20–60 bar). The results showed that the optimum conditions consisted of 11 % catalyst concentration, 3 h of reaction time, 342 °C temperature, and 29 bar pressure, leading to a 96.35 % GD yield. All conversion parameters, except pressure, significantly influenced GD yield. The quality of the synthesized GD showed high quality and compliance with Indonesian as well as European diesel fuel standards.

Box behnken design for ultrasound extraction of phenolics from Algerian Pistacia Lentiscus L. cake: green approach & bioactivity assessment

Box behnken design for ultrasound extraction of phenolics from Algerian Pistacia Lentiscus L. cake: green approach & bioactivity assessment

Abrasive waterjet cutting of r‐GO infused magnesium fiber metal laminates: Experimental investigations and optimization through gorilla troops algorithm

AbstractLaminated metal‐composite structures, known as fiber metal laminates (FMLs), are modern lightweight materials extensively utilized in diverse industries such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing. These materials offer enhanced impact and fatigue resistance, making them invaluable for various applications. However, machining FMLs poses a challenge due to the occurrence of delamination and heterogenous in nature during conventional methods. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the quality characteristics such as kerf width, surface roughness and kerf taper of Magnesium based FMLs processed with an unconventional machining process namely abrasive water jet cutting (AWJC). These FMLs comprise alternately stacked kevlar/carbon fibers adhesively bonded with epoxy resin matrix filled with varying wt% of reduced graphene oxide (r‐GO), combined with AZ31B alloy sheet as the skin material. AWJC experiments were performed by varying the process parameters including waterjet pressure (275–325 MPa), stand‐off distance (2.5–3.5 mm), and cutting speed (600–800 mm/min) based on the box–behnken experimental design. The findings from the statistical analysis underscore the significant influences of stand‐off distance and waterjet pressure on kerf characteristics, while the inclusion of r‐GO is observed to notably affect the surface quality. In pursuit of enhancing cut quality, a multi‐response optimization was conducted employing the Gorilla Troops Optimization (GTO) algorithm. Comparative analysis with established metaheuristics like the gray wolf algorithm, dragonfly algorithm, and harmony search algorithm reveals GTO's superior performance across various metrics, including rapid convergence, diversity, and spacing values. Further, the cutting‐induced damages such as matrix plowing, fiber‐metal debonding and composite delamination were observed through microstructure analysis.Highlights Magnesium (AZ31B) fiber metal laminate comprising with various wt% of reduced graphene oxide was fabricated. Abrasive waterjet cutting of FMLs were performed based on box–behnken design experimental approach. Statistical analysis and influence of process parameters on the kerf width, surface roughness and kerf taper were investigated. Multi‐response optimization was carried out using metaheuristic‐based gorilla troops algorithm.

Design of experiments using box behnken design in the development, characterization, mathematical modeling, and evaluation of lung targeted nebulized antiviral camostat mesylate loaded pegylated nanosuspension product

Box Behnken Design is a factorial statistical approach that helps to overcome limitations associated with time-consuming full factorial experimental design. This study used the Box Behnken design and Design of Experiments (DoE) to develop the nebulized antiviral Camostat Mesylate loaded pegylated nanoliposomal suspension product with the target profile specifications of particle size <250 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) between 0.1 and 0.3, and zeta potential (ZP) of 0±5 mV, % entrapment efficiency (%EE) between 40%w/v to 70 % w/v and % drug loading between 20%w/w to 50%w/w. Box Behnken design with a robust standard least squares model was employed to develop the pharma product. Camostat Mesylate loaded pegylated nanoliposomal suspension was developed using the scalable ethanol injection method. The three independent factors at three levels were concentrations of the lipids employed to develop the formulation. Applying holistic QbD during formulation development using Design of Experiments (DoE) ensures a science-based, risk-managed approach to developing high-quality pharmaceutical products. The novelty in this investigation is that, for the first time, nebulized antiviral Camostat mesylate-loaded Nanoliposomes with a size of <250 nm, size <250 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) between 0.1 and 0.3, and zeta potential (ZP) of 0±5 mV, % entrapment efficiency (%EE) between 40%w/v to 70 % w/v and % drug loading between 20%w/w to 50%w/w were developed using DoE, Box Behnken Design, mathematical modeling and Response Surface Methodology.Furthermore, the Camostat mesylate-loaded Nanoliposomes were evaluated for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 injection. Based on our findings, we kept other concentrations, i.e., Camostat Mesylate concentration at 2.25 mg/mL, 0.9%w/v NaCl, and 90%v/v ethanol and process parameters, namely, stirring speed, stirring time, ethanol addition rate, syringe diameter constant. From the mathematical modeling and Response Surface Methodology, we observed that the particle size of the nanosuspension increased with an increase in concentrations of DPPC and cholesterol. At the same time, increasing concentrations of DPPC increased the % entrapment efficiency and % drug loading; an increase in the concentration of Cholesterol led to a decrease in both those parameters. DoE successfully developed Camostat Mesylate loaded pegylated nanoliposomes with a particle size of 188 ± 0.75 nm, 75.47 ± 5.87 % entrapment of Camostat Mesylate and 49.65 ± 3.86 % drug load of Camostat Mesylate in liposomal product using the ethanol-injection method meeting target profile. The in vitro extended release of Camo from the Camo-pegNLs was observed in 24 h. The nebulized Camo-pegNL product showed MMAD of 4.01 ± 0.21 μm, GSD of 1.34 ± 0.03, and %FPF of 29.53 ± 6.5 %. In conclusion, integrating nebulized product development, Box Behnken Design, enabled the successful development of nebulized Camostat Mesylate loaded pegylated nanoliposomal suspension product, demonstrating their suitability for lung delivery of the antiviral drug.

Development of a hydrogel containing bisabolol-loaded nanocapsules for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in a Balb/c mice model

α-Bisabolol (αBIS), a plant-derived compound with anti-inflammatory properties, is potentially a therapeutic agent for Atopic dermatitis. However, its poor water solubility and photoinstability limit its topical application. Therefore, the present study, aimed to develop cationic polymeric nanocapsules of αBIS to improve its skin delivery, photostability, and therapeutic efficacy. The αBIS-loaded nanocapsules were prepared using the solvent displacement technique. A Box-Behnken (BB) design was employed to statistically optimize formulation variables and αBIS-loaded nanocapsules characterized by particle size, surface charge and encapsulation efficiency. The optimal formulation was selected, and the spherical shape of the nanocapsules was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, hydrogel containing αBIS-loaded nanocapsules was prepared by thickening of nanocapsule suspension with Carbopol 934 and evaluated for rheology, in vitro drug release and skin permeation. Furthermore, a mice model of atopic dermatitis was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the hydrogels. The optimal formulation displayed a spherical morphology under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an optimum particle size of 133.00 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.12, high EE% of 93 %, and improved optical stability of αBIS in the prepared nanocapsules compared to the free drug. The nano-based hydrogels demonstrated non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and an increased αBIS in vitro release profile without causing skin irritation in rabbits. Drug retention within the dermis and epidermis layers significantly surpassed that of drug-free hydrogel. Moreover, in vivo histopathological studies and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity, revealed that hydrogel containing bisabolol nanocapsules exhibited The best anti-inflammatory effect. The results showed that hydrogels containing bisabolol nanocapsules markedly alleviated dermatitis-related inflammation and reduced skin thickness in Balb/c mice. Our findings support nanocapsules as an effective drug delivery system to enhance αBIS stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy in AD treatment.

Optimizing Verapamil Hydrochloride In-situ Delivery: A Strategic Formulation Approach using Box-Behnken Design for Enhanced Performance and Comprehensive Evaluation of Formulation Parameters

This study focuses on formulating and assessing an in-situ gastro-retentive gel for precise delivery of verapamil hydrochloride to the stomach, aiming to extend its residence time and improve targeted delivery. Gels were synthesized in-situ using a cation-controlled gelation method, incorporating varied blends of pectin and HPMCK4M. Design Expert’s box behnken design was employed to assess responses such as buoyancy lag time, water uptake, and cumulative drug discharge. Results revealed that the developed gels exhibited a total float time exceeding 10 hours, with formulation T-2 showing the least floating lag time and a cumulative drug release of 99.40 ± 3.24% over 10 hours. This suggests effective prolongation of the gastric residence time, enabling controlled verapamil hydrochloride release. Additional evaluations, including appearance, pH, viscosity, in-vitro gel formation, drug content, density, and gel force, supported the robustness of the developed gels. Subsequent in-vitro dissolution and stability studies affirmed consistent active ingredient content, highlighting formulation stability over time. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the in-situ gels effectively extend gastric residence time, facilitating controlled verapamil hydrochloride release, marking significant advancements in drug delivery systems and targeted drug delivery within the gastrointestinal tract.

Crosslinked chitosan–montmorillonite composite and its magnetized counterpart for the removal of basic fuchsin from wastewater: Parametric optimization using Box-Behnken design

Treating wastewater polluted with organic dyestuffs is still a challenge. In that vein, facile synthesis of a structurally simple composite of chitosan with montmorillonite (CS-MMT) using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker and the magnetized analogue (MAG@CS-MMT) was proposed as versatile adsorbents for the cationic dye, basic Fuchsin (FUS). Statistical modeling of the adsorption process was mediated using Box-Behnken (BB) design and by varying the composite dose, pH, [FUS], and contact time. Characterization of both composites showed an enhancement of surface features upon magnetization, substantiating a better FUS removal of the MAG@CS-MMT (%R = 98.43 %) compared to CS-MMT (%R = 68.02 %). The surface area analysis demonstrates that MAG@CS-MMT possesses a higher surface area, measuring 41.54 m2/g, and the surface analysis of the magnetized nanocomposite, conducted using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies, proved the presence of FeO peaks. In the same context, adsorption of FUS onto MAG@CS-MMT fitted-well to the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum adsorption capacities (qm) were 53.11 mg/g for CS-MMT and 88.34 mg/g for MAG@CS-MMT. Kinetics investigation shows that experimental data fitted well to the pseudo-second order (PSO) model. Regeneration study reveals that MAG@CS-MMT can be recovered effectively for repeated use with a high adsorption efficiency for FUS.

Co-hydrothermal carbonization of polystyrene waste and maize stover combined with KOH activation to develop nanoporous carbon as catalyst support for catalytic hydrotreating of palm oil

Plastic waste is massively generated daily from households, mainly as packaging material, causing serious surrounding ecological problems. The development of plastic waste for higher value-added applications instead of landfilling and incineration has received consideration interest in bioenergy and material science research. Herein, a nanoporous carbon support of nickel phosphide catalyst for palm oil hydrotreating was developed from blended polystyrene waste and maize stover via the Co-hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) coupled with the KOH activation process. The Co-HTC parameters, such as temperature, reaction time, and PS percentage, were studied on the properties of co-hydrochar feedstocks for further activation using the Box behnken design. From the comprehensive characterization results, response surface methodology (RSM) results showed that the rising polystyrene proportion significantly exhibited the higher production yield and fixed carbon of co-hydrochar products, an essential characteristic for porous carbon manufacturing. After activation step, the final nanoporous carbon derived from the co-hydrochar (PMPC) exhibited the highest specific surface area of 1033.58 m2/g with total pore volume of 0.45 cm3/g. Moreover, the PCMC-supported nickel phosphide catalysts were successfully synthesized and tested for the catalytic hydrotreating of palm oil as alternative catalyst. The NiP-PMPC catalyst represents an impressive liquid hydrocarbon yield of 74.68 % with a high green diesel selectivity of 85.92 % at 100 % palm oil conversion. The findings of this study might help develop and utilize blended plastic waste and agricultural waste as an alternate catalytic support for various processes in biofuel and biochemical synthesis.

Insights into adsorption performance and mechanism of chitosan-bentonite biocomposites for removal of imazethapyr and imazamox

In the present study, chitosan-bentonite biocomposites were synthesised by ultrasonication, characterized using spectral techniques and assessed for their effectiveness in removing imazethapyr and imazamox from aqueous solution. The response surface methodology based box behnken design was utilized to generate optimum conditions viz. pH (1 to 9), adsorbent dose (0.01 to 1.0 g), contact time (0.5 to 48 h) and temperature (15 to 55 °C) for adsorption of herbicides on biocomposites. Based on model predictions, 60.4 to 91.5 % of imazethapyr and 31.7 to 46.4 % of imazamox was efficiently removed under optimal conditions. Adsorption data exhibited a strong fit to pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 > 0.987) and Freundlich isotherm (R2 > 0.979). The adsorption capacity ranged from 3.88 to 112 μg1−ng−1mLn and order of adsorption was: low molecular weight chitosan-bentonite> medium molecular weight chitosan-bentonite> high molecular weight chitosan-bentonite> bentonite. Thermodynamic experiments suggested a spontaneous, exothermic process, reducing the system randomness during adsorption. Desorption experiments revealed successful desorption ranging from 91.5 to 97.0 % using 0.1 M NaOH. The adsorption mechanism was dominated by synergistic electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding. These results collectively indicated the potential environmental remediation application of chitosan-bentonite biocomposites to adsorb imazethapyr and imazamox from wastewaters.

Removal and measurement of trace amounts of rhodamine B in aqueous samples based on the synthesis of a nanosorbent composed of Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified with SiO2 and polydopamine by magnetic solid phase extraction.

Rhodamine B (RDB) dye is generally toxic and causes problems such as carcinogenic activities, neurological disorders, and respiratory tract irritations. However, some individuals still illegally use RDB as a food additive. Therefore, a simple and accurate method is needed to determine RDB in real samples such as food or cosmetic products. In this study, the magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) method was used to measure very low amounts of RDB dye in water samples. The advantages of this method include simplicity, good repeatability, high preconcentration factor, higher extraction efficiency, low organic solvent volume requirement, rapid separation, low cost, high sensitivity, and interference removal compared to other methods. Within this approach, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised, followed by the application of tetra ethoxy silane (TEOS) and polydopamine (PDA) coatings on the nanoparticle surface, resulting in the creation of the Fe3O4@SiO2@PDA nano-sorbent. This nano-sorbent was then utilized as the magnetic solid phase in MSPE. The characteristics of the synthesized compounds were investigated by various methods such as infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken (BB) design were used to optimize the variables affecting the adsorption process and achieved high recovery percentages. Under optimal experimental conditions, the detection limit and quantification limit of the method were found to be 0.73 and 2.42 μg L-1 for RDB, respectively, with RSDs of ±0.32% and ±0.67%. Furthermore, the linear concentration range of the proposed method for solid phase extraction of RDB was determined to be 10.0-900.0 μg L-1. Moreover, the recovery rates for tap water, lake water, and well water samples ranged from 96.9% to 98.6%.

Application of fuzzy logic techniques for sensory evaluation of plant-based extrudates fortified with bioactive compounds

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the sensory profile of corn-based extrudates fortified with phytosterol and pea protein isolates (PPI) using the fuzzy logic technique to assess similarity values and rank the quality attributes. Methods: Using a mix of yellow PPI (ranging from 0 to 20%) and corn flour (ranging from 80% to 100%), extrudates were developed, ensuring a consistent addition of phytosterol-containing oil at 5%. For this experiment, the Box-Behnken (BB) design was used, comprising 17 runs, factoring in parameters like the percentage of PPI (0–20%), screw speed (300–500 rpm), and temperature (130°–150°C). The optimal conditions were found to be 2.78% PPI, a screw speed of 451 rpm, and a temperature of 150°C, resulting in a desirability value of 0.725. For sensory evaluation, the fuzzy logic technique was used to compare the functional extrudates (S1) with commercial variants (S2, S3, and S4). This helped to gauge acceptance/rejection, similarity values, rankings, and overall consumer acceptability of the extrudates. Results: Commercial sample S4 achieved the highest ranking on the sensory scale as “very good”. When considering the quality attributes of extrudates, taste and mouthfeel were the most favored, followed by color and flavor. This study underscored the value of using fuzzy logic for sensory evaluation in determining the acceptance of new food products. It also proved effective in assessing food products’ quality attributes, especially after evaluating the phytosterol content post-extrusion. Conclusions: The fuzzy logic technique in sensory evaluation has effectively identified the optimal extrudates and their quality attributes during the development of new functional food.

Thermo- mechanical and microstructural characterization of LECA and low carbon cement based lightweight mortar using box behnken design, and embodied energy analysis

Lightweight aggregate mortar (LWAM) containing different kinds of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) has gained significant attention as a sustainable construction material. However, the behavior of this type of mortar at elevated temperature conditions, such as those encountered in fire events, remains largely unexplored. In this study, the effect of different temperatures (i.e. at 27⁰C, 110⁰C and 850⁰C) on the Thermo-mechanical and microstructural properties of LWAM containing low grade limestone slurry (LgLS), class- F fly ash (FA), and lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) is investigated. LgLS and FA were replaced with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the range of 0–20%, and 0–30% by weight. River sand was replaced with LECA, ranging from 0% to 50% with an increment of 25% in river sand fractions. Along with this, statistical modelling and parametric optimization were done using Box Behnken Design (BBD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Advanced characterization techniques such as- Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were performed to investigate the effect of higher temperatures on the microstructure and hydration products of LWAM matrix. Embodied energy analysis was also carried out to investigate the environmental assessment along with cost analysis. It was concluded that as compared to the reference LWAM mix at 27 °C; CS at 28 days was increased by 15–25% at temperature of 110 °C for different mixes, while the same was drastically decreased by 60–64% at higher temperature i.e. 850 °C. Embodied energy analysis predicted that carbon emission can be minimized by about 25%, which is the need of the recent era to meet sustainable development goals.

Techno-economic assessment of waste mandarin biochar as a green adsorbent for binary dye wastewater effluents of methylene blue and basic fuchsin: Lab- and large-scale investigations

Treating polluted wastewater effluents on a large-scale requires the development of high performance and cost-effective adsorbents. The recycling of waste mandarin peels, an environmentally friendly, and copiously available waste biomass into biochar (MRBC), has been approached. In the context of finding affordable and effective solutions for depollution of wastewater, MRBC was used for the adsorption of two dyes: methylene blue (MB) as well as basic fuchsin (BF) from their individual solutions and binary combinations. Batch adsorption studies were performed by employing the Box-Behnken (BB) design. The adsorption competency of dyes was analyzed to find the percentage removal (%R) and the adsorption capacity (qe, mg/g). The dependent parameters (qe and %R) were determined as a function of pH, dose of MRBC (AD), contact time (CT), and concentration of methylene blue [MB]/ basic fuchsin [BF]. Removal of 98.14% of MB and 83.18% of BF was successfully achieved. Equilibrium experiments depicted that Langmuir and Freundlich models suit adsorption of dyes. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) was 99.11 (MB) and 78.01 mg/g (BF), individually. However, when the dyes are combined, the qmax decreased to 57.09 and 68.52 mg/g for MB and BF, correspondingly. The cost of MRBC was estimated to be ∼ 4 USD/kg, while the overall cost of wastewater treatment was estimated to be 1.06 USD/m3/year.

TiO2-functionalized biochar from pistachio nutshells: adsorptive removal and photocatalytic decolorization of methyl orange

Pistachio nutshells-derived biochar (PNS-BC) was utilized as a cost-effective adsorbent for competently removing a model dye, methyl orange (MO) from wastewater. Three concentrations of TiO2; 1%, 2%, and 3% were used to decorate the biochar. Analysis of morphology, stability, and structure of the three adsorbents (PNS, PNS-BC, and the TiO2 functionalized biochar; TiO2@PNS-BC) was extensively explored using various characterization techniques. The synergistic photocatalytic-adsorptive efficiency of the three adsorbents was compared. In this regard, a Box-Behnken (BB) design-based multivariate scheme was inaugurated with the target of maximizing MO removal (%R) while using the minimum possible of chemicals and resources. The impact of five variables; %TiO2, dose of TiO2-PNS, reaction time, dye concentration, and pH on the magnitude of %R was investigated. Results show that 97.69% removal of MO could be recognized over 120 min using adsorption compared to 99.47% removal over 30 min using 3% TiO2@PNS-BC as a photocatalyst. A 3% TiO2@PNS-BC was the best catalyst (compared to 1% and 2%) with a decolorization rate constant of 0.12741 min−1, ~ 1.5 × faster compared to the decolorization of MO using adsorption alone. Adsorption of MO conformed well to Langmuir isotherm. A maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 142.38 mg/g was achieved. Adsorption kinetics fitted well with the pseudo-second order (PSO) model. Results obtained indicated that biochar of PNS is a promising, cost-effective, and economical adsorbent.

Wound healing potential of silver nanoparticles embedded in optimized bio-inspired hybridized chitosan soft and dry hydrogel

Interactive wound dressings combining healing and antimicrobial potentials, besides ensuring patient compliance with a recognized wound care service gained considerable interest recently. Both hydrogel spray dried microparticles (HMP) and soft hydrogel (G) were prepared. The bio-inspired combinatory platform included natural bio-macromolecules namely: chitosan (CS) and collagen (COL) with wound healing enhancement and connective tissue building capabilities cross linked with the natural genipin (GN) to build a three dimensional structured matrix. The optimized plain hydrogel obtained by a box behnken design (BBD) program (G) scored maximum swelling and porosity. The network was hosted with green synthesized cefotaxime sodium (cef.Na) AgNPs reduced by the anabolic folic acid (FA). Both hydrogels exhibited good antimicrobial activity against gram +ve and –ve bacteria. The wound healing activity, evaluated in injured rats, showed >98 % and complete wound closure after two and three weeks respectively. Oxidative stress minimization was proved by the estimation of biochemical markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels at the wound site.

Calibration of Model Parameters for Soda Saline Soil-Subsoiling Component Interaction Based on DEM

To apply the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate the interaction process between soda saline–alkali soil and subsoiling component in Northeast China, establishing the soda saline–alkali soil particle model and selecting more accurate simulation parameters are important. In this paper, we studied the soda saline–alkali soil of the Songnen Plain in China. First, we studied the geometric shape of soda saline–alkali soil particles and proposed a modeling method for single soil particles based on the multisphere combination method. Considering the cohesion of soda saline–alkali soil particles, the Hertz–Mindlin with JKR (JKR) model was used as the contact model between soil particles. Then, the calibration method was used to obtain simulation parameters of soils that are difficult to obtain experimentally. We conducted soil angle of repose (AoR) tests, the Plackett–Burman (PB) tests, and steepest ascent (SA) tests in turn to perform a sensitivity analysis for microscopic contact parameters and select the parameters that have a significant effect on the response value (static AoR), i.e., soil surface energy, soil–soil static friction coefficient, and soil–soil rolling friction coefficient. Then, the optimal combination of simulation parameters was obtained via the Box–Behnken (BB) tests, using ANOVA to optimize the multiple regression equation. Finally, the optimal parameter combination was verified by the AoR test and the direct shear (DS) test. The results showed that the parameters had good adaptability for the AoR test. However, the simulation results of the DS test were significantly different from the experimental values. Therefore, the contact model needs to be further modified by adding Bonding bonds between soil particles based on the JKR model and further correcting for Rayleigh time step, shear modulus, and surface energy. By comparing the simulation and the experimental results, it was found that the simulation results obtained from both the DS test and AoR test had relatively small errors relative to physical tests, the two trends are the same, and the values are similar. This verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the soda saline–alkali soil particle modeling method and parameter selection proposed in this paper.

Experimental investigation for fault diagnosis of a single stage worm gearbox using response surface methodology

Gearbox transmission system is a fundamental factor in the industrial applications. If gearbox stop working due to different faults, it may break normal machine operation and cause a production loss. This research paper focused on fault analysis of combination of worm wheel and bearing by using root mean square (RMS) and response surface method (RSM). Faults considered on outer race and inner race of worm wheel bearing, on worm wheel tooth. These faults and load were considered as an important independent factor to understand their effects on RMS response of worm gearbox. Worm gearbox experimental setup is for laboratory experimentation and RSM for analysis. Twenty-seven experimental trial conducted for three level of parameters based on design of experiment (DOE). Vibration based response measured in frequency domain and root mean square parameter extracted for the fault analysis. Box behnken design RSM is implemented to investigate independent parameters effect on output parameter i.e. RMS. The result shows that effect of faulty inner race bearing is more on worm wheel as compared to faulty outer race bearing and fault parameter influence RMS than load parameter.