Concentration Of Agent Research Articles

Biofilm formation and drug susceptibility of biofilm Candida spp. clinically isolated from nasopharyngeal cancer patients in Vietnam

Background and Objectives: The biofilm formation has been widely recognized as one of the main mechanisms of antimi- crobial resistance development in microorganisms. However, few studies are focusing on this phenomenon in Candida spp. in clinical settings, especially on immuno-compromised patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, both the rate of biofilm formation in those patients and its drug susceptibility in initial and mature biofilm were assessed using crystal violet assay and dilution method. Results: The results demonstrated that the biofilm formation rate was similar between albicans and non-albicans Candida. However, the biofilm formation capacity was more pronounced in non-albicans Candida, especially, C. glabrata. As expect- ed, there was a significant relationship between biofilm formation and drug resistance. In addition, our study reconfirmed that the age of high concentration of antifungal agents only affected Candida before its biofilm formation regardless of its biofilm formation capacity. In the contrary, once the biofilm was formed even elevated drug concentrations did not show sufficient efficacy, highlighting a need for high dosage at the early stage of treatment for those patients. Conclusion: The results of this study highlighted the importance of using appropriate antifungal agents for Candida treatment before the formation of biofilm.

Investigation of The Effects of Extraction Polarity Change on the Bioactivity of Eruca Vesicaria

Eruca vesicaria (arugula) plant is frequently used today as a daily food source that contains a rich variety of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. It also contains a high percentage of phenolic compounds which are structures that plants develop to protect themselves from harmful organisms. Phenolic compounds found in plants are obtained by different extraction methods and have a high antioxidant effect. In this study, we report, anticancer activity extract from Eruca vesicaria against human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) in vitro. The phenolic substances contained in the plant were obtained in different concentrations by the extraction technique based on the polarity difference. HPLC and total phenol content were determined to perform extraction content analysis. According to in vitro MTT cell proliferation assay, it acted at high concentrations, regardless of polarity differences. The highest cytotoxic effect was observed in extract extracted with 50% ethanol concentration. It has been observed that it has an anticancer effect compared to the determination of total phenol content. Also, as a result of 24-hour MIC analysis, it shows antibacterial properties according to agent concentration. As a result of this study, it adds many new information to the literature, but also provides guidance for future research.

Extraction of Aluminum Oxide from Local Kaolin Clay Deposits in Ethiopia

The need for aluminum is growing worldwide, which has sparked interest in finding alternate ways to make alumina from materials other than bauxite, particularly clays. This article examines the use of sodium carbonate as a leaching agent in the lime sintering process to recover alumina from kaolin. Excavated from Tarmaber, Ethiopia, kaolin clay contains a content of 32.88%, which has a relatively good composition. Collecting and grounding raw kaolin to micrometer-level particle size is the first task. The recovery of kaolin alumina was studied at sintering temperatures of (T<sub>1</sub>=800°C, T<sub>2</sub>= 900°C & T<sub>3</sub>=1000°C) at different sintering times of (t<sub>1</sub>=1 hr, t<sub>2</sub>=2 hrs & t<sub>3</sub>=3 hrs). After the raw material was burned at the given temperatures and times, it was cooled for the night in the furnace and leached with different concentrations of sodium carbonate (M<sub>1</sub>=50 g/l, M<sub>2</sub>=60 g/l & M<sub>3</sub>=70 g/l). The response surface methodology (RSM) in combination with the central composite design was used to optimize the operating parameters. The optimization result shows that the optimal conditions were a calcination temperature of 953.84°C, a sintering time of 2.99 h, and a leaching agent concentration of 70 g/l. At this optimal condition, the yield of Alumina was 1.05 g of 20 g of Kaolin clay. The resulting Alumina was crystalline in structure (from XRD analysis), contains 89.05% Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (from silicate analysis) and a large broad band between 400-1000 cm<sup>-1</sup> is attributed to Al-O-Al stretching of Alumina (from FT-IR analysis). So, it is possible to conclude that alumina production from no bauxite ores is possible.

Development of Thermosensitive Hydrogel Mouthwash Loaded with Zingiber zerumbet Extract for Enhanced Oral Thrush Treatment

BackgroundOral thrush, caused by Candida albicans, is currently treated under guidelines by using topical antifungal pharmaceutical formulations such as lozenges and liquid gargles. Using these drugs may cause irritation and adverse reactions. Moreover, there is a short exposure time to reach the lesion, which may result in low effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, the research group aimed to develop mouthwash solutions that can form gel at oral temperature containing Zingiber zerumbet rhizome extracts, which work as an active substance inhibiting fungi. MethodsThe development process began with the extraction of substances from Zingiber zerumbet rhizome using hexane and the analysis of the active substance by HPLC. Antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were evaluated. Hydrogel mouthwash was prepared by varying the type and concentration of polymer, solvent, and mucoadhesive agent. The optimized formulation was then evaluated for its properties. ResultsZingiber zerumbet rhizome extracts, containing 16.29±0.39 % zerumbone, demonstrated both antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities against Candida albicans. The extract also had anti-inflammatory activity when tested by the proteinase inhibitory test, with a percentage inhibition of 86.15±10.96 %. Two thermosensitive hydrogels, poloxamer P407 and P188, were applied and compared as gel-forming agents. It was found that the optimized formulation is composed of 15 % (w/w) poloxamer P407, 0.05 % (w/w) carbopol as a mucoadhesive agent, and 5 % (v/v) ethanol. Transition time and transition temperature of the optimized thermosensitive hydrogel formula were 27.76±1.25 s and 36±1.00 °C, respectively. The viscosity at shear rate 1 S-1 and 25 °C of the optimized formulation was 0.13±0.06 Pa.s, which is suitable for pouring out of the bottle and gargling. ConclusionThis study demonstrates a novel approach to developing thermosensitive hydrogel mouthwash formulations, leveraging Zingiber zerumbet rhizome extracts for enhanced therapeutic efficacy against oral candidiasis. These formulations offer prolonged contact time with affected areas, potentially improving treatment outcome.

Experimental Study on Improving the Recovery Rate of Low-Pressure Tight Oil Reservoirs Using Molecular Deposition Film Technology

The intricate geological characteristics of tight oil reservoirs, characterized by extremely low porosity and permeability as well as pronounced heterogeneity, have led to a decline in reservoir pressure, substantial gas expulsion, an accelerated decrease in oil production rates, and the inadequacy of traditional water injection methods for enhancing oil recovery. As a result, operators encounter heightened operational costs and prolonged timelines necessary to achieve optimal production levels. This situation underscores the increasing demand for advanced techniques specifically designed for tight oil reservoirs. An internal evaluation is presented, focusing on the application of molecular deposition film techniques for enhanced oil recovery from tight oil reservoirs, with the aim of elucidating the underlying mechanisms of this approach. The research addresses fluid flow resistance by employing aqueous solutions as transmission media and leverages electrostatic interactions to generate nanometer-thin films that enhance the surface properties of the reservoir while modifying the interaction dynamics between oil and rock. This facilitates the more efficient displacement of injected fluids to replace oil during pore flushing processes, thereby achieving enhanced oil recovery objectives. The experimental results indicate that an improvement in oil displacement efficiency is attained by increasing the concentration of the molecular deposition film agent, with 400 mg/L identified as the optimal concentration from an economic perspective. It is advisable to commence with a concentration of 500 mg/L before transitioning to 400 mg/L, considering the adsorption effects near the well zone and dilution phenomena within the reservoir. Molecular deposition films can effectively reduce injection pressure, enhance injection capacity, and lower initiation pressure. These improvements significantly optimize flow conditions within the reservoir and increase core permeability, resulting in a 7.82% enhancement in oil recovery. This molecular deposition film oil recovery technology presents a promising innovative approach for enhanced oil recovery, serving as a viable alternative to conventional water flooding methods.

Antimicrobial Resistance Development in vitro: Adaptive Laboratory Evolution Method (Review)

INTRODUCTION. High rates of emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitate the rapid development of novel antibacterial medicinal products. The assessment of the microbial potential for AMR development under controlled conditions in vitro can save resources during drug development and marketing authorisation and contribute to creating the most effective medicinal products.AIM. The aim was to determine the possibility of the use of the adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) method to study the development of antimicrobial resistance.DISCUSSION. A variety of methods can be used to investigate the mechanisms of AMR and the influence of medicinal products on the evolution of bacteria towards AMR. One of the options is the ALE method. ALE experiments are conducted under controlled conditions with prolonged exposure of microorganisms to an antibacterial agent. ALE experiments can include serial transfers of microorganisms to fresh liquid media or Petri dishes, as well as continuous cultivation of microorganisms in a chemostat. ALE protocols are used to develop resistance to different antibacterial agents and require meticulous control of the experimental conditions. To obtain reliable results in an experiment, it is necessary to identify parameters that may affect AMR development in microorganisms. These parameters include but are not limited to the concentration of the antibacterial agent, the number of consecutive passages, the duration of incubation.CONCLUSIONS. To achieve the necessary conditions for resistant microorganisms to form, it is essential to adhere strictly to ALE setup requirements, such as using antibacterial agents at subinhibitory or dynamically increasing concentrations (relative to the minimum inhibitory concentrations for the ancestral strain), performing a certain number of passages for ≥20 generations, and incubating cultures until the stationary phase. Despite the fact that ALE experiments are rather lengthy, these studies can reduce the potential waste of resources on developing new compounds that may have to be discontinued at the stage of production because of AMR development.

Quantitative brain T1 maps derived from T1-weighted MRI acquisitions: a proof-of-concept study.

Longitudinal T1 relaxation time is a key imaging biomarker. In addition, T1 values are modulated by the administration of T1 contrast agents used in patients with tumors and metastases. However, in clinical practice, dedicated T1 mapping sequences are often not included in brain MRI protocols. The aim of this study is to address the absence of dedicated T1 mapping sequences in imaging protocol by deriving T1 maps from standard T1-weighted sequences. A phantom, composed of 144 solutions of paramagnetic agents at different concentrations, was imaged with a three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighed turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence designed for brain imaging. The relationship between the T1 values and the signal intensities was established using this phantom acquisition. T1 mapping derived from 3D T1-weighted TSE acquisitions in four healthy volunteers and one patient with brain metastases were established and compared to reference T1 mapping technique. The concentration of Gd-based contrast agents in brain metastases were assessed from the derived T1 maps. Based on the phantom acquisition, the relationship between T1 values and signal intensity (SI) was found equal to T1 = 0.35 × SI-1.11 (R2 = 0.97). TSE-derived T1 values measured in white matter and gray matter in healthy volunteers were equal to 0.997 ± 0.096 s and 1.358 ± 0.056 s (mean ± standard deviation), respectively. Mean Gd3+ concentration value in brain metastases was 94.7 ± 30.0 μM. The in vivo results support the relevance of the phantom-based approach: brain T1 maps can be derived from T1-weighted acquisitions. High-resolution brain T1 maps can be generated, and contrast agent concentration can be quantified and imaged in brain metastases using routine 3D T1-weighted TSE acquisitions. Quantitative T1 mapping adds significant value to MRI diagnostics. T1 measurement sequences are rarely included in routine protocols. T1 mapping and concentration of contrast agents can be derived from routine standard scans. The diagnostic value of MRI can be improved without additional scan time.

Exploring pathogen population density as a metric for understanding post-COVID infectious disease surges.

After the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, peaks of common infectious diseases surpassed pre-pandemic levels, raising questions about causes and ways to monitor these changes. A proposed measure, the Pathogen Population Density (PPD) score, could help track these shifts. PPD refers to the concentration of infectious agents within a population at a given time and location, serving as a potential indicator of infection levels in susceptible individuals at the population level. It is likely that PPD remains relatively stable within a specific community, as an equilibrium forms between infections and susceptibility. During the pandemic, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) led to a reduction in infectious diseases, possibly lowering population immunity and decreasing the PPD score. Once NPIs were lifted, the PPD score likely increased sharply due to a larger pool of susceptible individuals, causing more primary infections and stronger recurrent infections, faster transmission, and more severe pathogenic outcomes at the individual level. Monitoring the PPD score over time could help predict when infection peaks will occur. PPD is influenced by factors such as public health strategies, vaccination programs, and the behavior of high-risk individuals. As a quantitative measure, PPD has the potential to serve as a valuable predictive and monitoring tool, helping public health officials anticipate and track changes in infectious disease dynamics. It could be an effective tool for managing future outbreaks or pandemics and serve as a communication tool between scientists and the public to understand the emergence of new disease peaks.

Scalp Microbiome and Dandruff—Exploring Novel Biobased Esters

Recent data suggest that dandruff might be associated with dysbiosis of the scalp microbiome. This mini review summarizes the microbiome changes seen with the dandruff condition, as well as different solutions for dandruff control and their effects on the scalp microbiome in relation to in vivo efficacy. Since zinc pyrithione has been banned from cosmetics in the EU, the medium-chain fatty acid ester propanediol caprylate is a new option, in addition to the remaining conventional ingredients: piroctone olamine, climbazole, and salicylic acid. The ester is rapidly cleaved by Malassezia hydrolases in the external milieu, thereby releasing active caprylic acid. In addition to its auto-regulatory effects on Malassezia, propanediol caprylate is also able to influence the bacterial microbiota towards a healthier scalp microbiome. In vivo data have shown an efficacy comparable to climbazole and piroctone olamine. In vivo additive and synergistic effects in different combinations allow reductions in the concentration of conventional agents. Surprisingly, a new effect of a lasting healthier scalp has been identified in connection with ester use, in contrast to the usual return of dandruff experienced upon the discontinuation of anti-dandruff shampoo with conventional actives. We also report on new data from an unpublished comparative study on two propanediol monoesters confirming the long-lasting effect.

Targeted Cancer Therapy: The Role of Liposomes in Oncology. A Literature Review

Liposomal formulations represent a significant advancement in the field of oncology, providing innovative solutions for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. These nanoscale carriers, made of phospholipid bilayers, enhance drug stability and allow for targeted delivery to tumor tissues, thereby improving the therapeutic index of anticancer medications. By altering the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of these drugs, liposomes help reduce systemic side effects while increasing the concentration of therapeutic agents at the tumor site. Recent developments in liposomal technology have led to the creation of targeted liposomes, which can bind specifically to cancer cells, enhancing treatment accuracy. This review examines the various applications of liposomes in cancer treatment, discusses important clinical trials, identifies challenges in formulation and delivery, and considers future directions for integrating liposomal therapies into routine oncology practice. As ongoing research progresses, liposomes are poised to play a crucial role in advancing cancer treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, we discuss the challenges associated with their clinical translation and future perspectives in optimizing liposome formulations for personalized cancer therapies.

Highly enhanced fluoride removal from aqueous systems via solvent extraction utilizing trialkyl phosphine oxide as an efficient extractant

Solvent extraction (SX) has been recognized as an efficient approach for the large-scale removal of impurities, demonstrating considerable potential for fluoride extraction in industrial applications. However, existing fluoride extraction methods typically require the incorporation of additives to form complexes with fluoride for its removal. Due to the excessive additive requirements for efficient fluoride removal, these methods inevitably result in secondary contamination of feed solution, necessitating additional purification efforts to remove them. In this study, four extractants (trioctyl amine, tributyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, and trialkyl phosphine oxide (TRPO)) were investigated for fluoride removal via hydrogen bonding with hydrofluoric acid (HF). Various parameters, including the concentrations of extractants and stripping agents, pH values, extraction time, and temperature were initially optimized. It was found that TRPO exhibits the highest extraction efficiency for HF, with a single-stage extraction rate exceeding 70 %. Complete fluoride removal (> 99.9 %) was achieved through a consecutive four-stage extraction process. Further experiments, including maximum loading and slope analysis, combined with FT-IR and 19F NMR characterization, and DFT calculations elucidate the mechanism of the extraction. The transfer of HF into the organic phase is accomplished by the formation of a 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complex with TRPO. The loaded fluoride in the organic phase can be easily stripped by a base to get a fluoride salt. This study paves the way for the construction of novel SX systems to remove fluoride as HF.

Research on Mechanism of Controlling Water and Stabilizing Production in Heavy Oil Reservoirs with Edge-bottom Water

The development of edge-bottom water heavy oil reservoirs typically involves short water-free production period and a rapid increase in water cut, leading to generally low oil recovery factors. Combining the advantages of foam and viscosity reducers for composite development can effectively address the challenges in edge-bottom water reservoirs; however, the mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, the concentrations of foaming agent and viscosity reducer were initially determined using a foam evaluator and an Anton Paar rheometer. Subsequently, a 2D large flat plate model was employed to conduct a composite group production experiment after water flooding, and then the change in oil saturation during flooding was analyzed by measuring electrical resistance. Finally, the dynamic curves of flooding were compared to analyze the mechanism of water control and oil stabilization (WCOS). The results indicate that the 2D large flat plate model and the method of inverting saturation field maps can effectively simulate the oil-water flow behavior during the composite flooding process after water flooding. The synergistic mechanism of N2 foam controlling bottom water coning and CO2 enhanced viscosity reducer to reduce viscosity in deep areas was revealed, increasing the overall recovery factor by 10.3% compared to water flooding. The mechanism of the combined oil recovery is clarified, which providing a reference for formulating WCOS plans following water flooding.

Exploring the Neural Mechanisms of Mirrored-Self Misidentification in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition that causes a range of cognitive disturbances, including mirror-self misidentification syndrome (MSM), in which patients cannot recognize themselves in a mirror. However, the mechanism of action of MSM is not precisely known. This study aimed to explore the possible neural mechanisms of action of MSM in AD using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). This study included 48 AD patients, 13 in the MSM group and 35 in the non-MSM group. The permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was quantitatively monitored by measuring the transfer rate (Ktrans) of the contrast agent from the vasculature to the surrounding tissue using DCE-MRI. The concentration of contrast agents in different brain regions was measured, and the Patlak model was used to calculate Ktrans. Ktrans values were compared between the left and right cerebral hemispheres in different brain areas between the MSM and non-MSM groups. Additionally, the difference in Ktrans values between mild and severe MSM was assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the risk factors for MSM. The Mann‒Whitney U test was used to compare two groups and revealed elevated Ktrans values in the left thalamus, left putamen, left globus pallidus, left corona radiata, and right caudate in the MSM group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased Ktrans values in the left putamen (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.04, 2.26) and left globus pallidus (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.02, 2.31) may be risk factors for MSM. After dividing MSM patients into mild and moderate-severe groups, the Ktrans values of the thalamus in the moderate-severe group were greater than those in the mild group (p<0.05). Our study revealed the relationship between BBB permeability and MSM in AD. MSM is associated with BBB breakdown in the left putamen and globus pallidus. The left putamen and globus pallidus may function in mirror self-recognition. Higher BBB permeability in the thalamus may reflect the severity of AD in MSM.

Development and characterisation of a novel bigel based on pea protein hydrogel and rice bran wax oleogel: Enhancement of rheological properties and freeze-thaw stability

In this study, a novel pea protein (PP)-based bigel was developed, featuring a high internal phase emulsion. The impact of gelling agent concentration on the gel properties and freeze-thaw stability of the bigel was investigated. The bigel was comprised of two distinct gel phases: an aqueous-phase gel with a covalent network formed by PP and transglutaminase (TGase), and an oil-phase gel with a crystal network structure of rice bran wax (RBW). Microstructural analysis revealed a bi-continuous network structure in the bigel, with network density increasing as TGase and RBW concentrations rose. Rheological analysis showed that storage modulus (G′), apparent viscosity, and structural recovery of the bigel increased with higher TGase and RBW concentrations. Temperature scanning experiments confirmed that the bigel maintained its elastic solid behavior even at elevated temperatures. Optimal sensory properties and low coefficient of friction were achieved at 0.4 % TGase and 7 % RBW concentrations. Additionally, the bigel exhibited notable freeze-thaw stability at TGase and RBW concentrations exceeding 0.2 % and 5 %, respectively. These findings highlight the excellent gelation properties and stability of the PP-RBW-based bigel, suggesting its potential as a fat substitute in the food industry.

N-Morpholine-N'-benzoylthiourea as an extractant for Pb(II) and Cu(II) in aqueous media: Crystal structure of bis(N-morpholine-N′-4-benzoylthioureato)lead(II)

The reaction of N-morpholine-N′-benzoylthiourea (L: HBMOR) and lead(II) acetate gave a neutral, stable metal(II) complex of type ML2. The Pb(II) complex crystallized in a monoclinic crystal system with P21/n space group. The complex was further characterized by spectroscopic and microanalytic analyses. The solvent extraction behaviors of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions were investigated in aqueous media containing HBMOR/CHCl3 as extracting reagents. The solvent extraction of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions from solutions of varying pH, varying concentrations of mineral acids (HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4), varying concentrations of masking agents (EDTA, KCN and KH[C8H6O4]) and varying concentrations of salting-out agents (NaCl, Na2SO4, KNO3) in chloroform solutions of HBMOR were studied. Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions were quantitatively extracted at pH = 7 in 10 min (HCl = 0.01 M) and pH = 8 in 5 min (H2SO4 = 0.01 M), respectively. The Pb(II) ions were quantitatively extracted with minimal interference from EDTA (0.01 M), KCN (0.50 M), and potassium hydrogen phthalate (1.0 M), while the Cu (II) ions were extracted with EDTA (1.0 M), KCN (1.0 M) and potassium hydrogen phthalate (0.01 M). The order of increasing interference for the extraction of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions was KCN &gt; potassium hydrogen phthalate &gt; EDTA. Sodium sulfate (0.01 M) in HCl enhanced the extraction of Pb(II) ions, while sodium chloride (0.50 M) in HCl enhanced the extraction of Cu(II) ions. pH0.5 values of 0.67 and 2.70 were obtained for Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively, indicating that the separation of the two metal ions is favorable with HBMOR.

Optimation of Adsorpsi and Desorpsi of Mn2+ Ions on Gel-GPTMS Silica (Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) Modified with Sulfonates

Silica gel is an adsorbent often used in chromatography columns as a resin or stationary phase. Silica gel has active groups on its surface in the form of silanol (-SiOH) and siloxane (-Si-O-Si-). The effectiveness of silica gel in absorbing heavy metal ions is very low, so modification is needed to increase the absorption capacity of silica gel to metal ions. The addition of sulfonate with the GPTMS linkage compound dose modification. Adsorption and desorption are two methods that can be used to separate manganese metal. This research aims to obtain the optimum desorption agent (NaCl and CaCl2) and the concentration of the AAS-characterised desorption agent. This study used the column method for the adsorption and desorption process. This study used the column method for the adsorption and desorption process. The column method is a technique used to separate certain substances from a mixture by utilizing the interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate. The results obtained optimum desorption agent CaCl2 where the weight desorbed 0.1168002 mg with a percent desorption of 92.3%, the optimum concentration of CaCl2 0.05 M where the weight desorbed 0.132264 mg with a percent desorption of 95% Adsorbent characterization was conducted with FTIR and XRF.

Development of a Monte Carlo simulation platform for the systematic evaluation of photon-counting detector-based micro-CT

PurposeThis study aimed to develop a photon-counting detector (PCD) based micro-CT simulation platform for assessing the performance of three different PCD sensor materials: cadmium telluride (CdTe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and silicon (Si). The evaluation encompasses the components of primary and scatter signals, performance of imaging contrast agents, and detector efficiency. MethodsSimulations were performed using the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit, and a micro-PCD-CT system was meticulously modeled based on realistic geometric parameters. Results.The simulation can obtain HU values consistent with measured results for iodine and calcium hydroxyapatite contrast agents. The two major components of scatter signals for CdTe and GaAs based PCD are fluorescent X-ray photons and photoelectrons, whereas for Si, the components are photoelectrons and Compton electrons. Scattering counts of CdTe and GaAs sensors can be effectively reduced by using energy thresholds, whereas those of Si sensor are insensitive to the applied threshold. The optimal threshold values for CdTe and GaAs are 30 and 15 keV, respectively. For contrast agent imaging, GaAs exhibits enhanced sensitivity to low photon energies compared to CdTe, while it’s contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values are slightly lower than those of CdTe at the same contrast agent concentration. Among the three sensor materials, Si has the lowest CNR and detector efficiency; CdTe exhibits the highest efficiency, except in low-energy ranges (< 45 keV), where GaAs has superior efficiency. ConclusionsThe proposed methods are expected to benefit PCD optimization and applications, including energy threshold selection, scattering correction, and may reduce the need for large-scale experiments.

Novel Approaches and Emerging Trends in Hydrotropic Solubilization Technology

Hydrotropic solubilization technology enhances the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, a major challenge in pharmaceutical research. This review discusses hydrotropic agents’ structures, the solubilization process, and factors affecting drug solubility. It explores optimizing agent concentrations, the role of computer modeling and QSAR studies, and hydrotropes’ impact on overcoming biological barriers and improving pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The review highlights hydrotropic compounds’ potential in advancing pharmaceutical formulations and clinical applications.

Recovery of rare earth elements from ion-adsorption deposits using electro kinetic technology: A comparative study on leaching agents

Ion-adsorption rare earth deposits are crucial sources of heavy rare earth elements. Conventional ammonium-salt leaching techniques have resulted in severe environmental impacts. Electrokinetic mining technology has emerged as a potential solution that can enhance recovery efficiency. However, persistent issues associated with ammonium salts and the influence of electric fields on rare earth elements extraction from ion-adsorption rare earth deposits with alternative leaching agents remain unexplored. In addition, the electrokinetic behavior and mechanisms of rare earth ions and various ions in weathering crusts in an electric field have not been studied. Thus, we report a comparative study of rare earth elements recovery using electrokinetic mining technology with three leaching agents. The results demonstrate that the electrokinetic mining efficiency is enhanced by using magnesium sulfate and ammonium sulfate; however, hindered by sodium sulfate. These differences arise from the diversities in adsorption amounts, and transport characteristics of the leaching cations in soil. Surprisingly, electrokinetic mining technology exhibits superior mining efficiency in high-density soils, contrasting with conventional leaching techniques. Our findings indicate that electromigration, electroosmosis, and electrolysis mechanisms collectively influence the mining process. Remarkably, electrokinetic mining technology achieves a significant rare earth element recovery efficiency of 90 % using magnesium sulfate synergically promoted by the voltage and leaching agent concentration. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into rare earth elements transport and exchange behavior in an electric field with various leaching agents, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable rare earth elements mining practices.

Optimizing foaming agent concentration and recycled fine aggregate content to enhance mechanical and durable properties of foam concrete mixes

This research explores the impact of using recycled fine aggregates from construction and demolition wastes (CD-RFA) through the replacement of natural sand in proportion of 0 %, 10 %, 30 %, 50 %, 70 %, and 100 % for making foam concrete mixes. Protein based foaming agent was diluted with water in ratios of 1:20, 1:40 and 1:60. It was found that with the increase in the proportion of recycled fines, the porosity, sorptivity and water absorption of foam concrete mixes increases significantly. At the same time, a downward trend in the mechanical characteristics was noted. However, the obtained values of compressive strength, flexural strength, and split tensile strength of 22.35, 5.68 and 2.27 MPa were found to be well within the ACI 523 R 2014 recommended ranges of 8–22, 3–6.4 and 1–2.2 MPa, respectively. Hardened density, abrasion resistance, and resistance to sulphates and chlorides attack showed perceptible decline. The present study recommends the replacement of natural sand up to 50 % with CD-RFA. The foam concrete mix prepared using recycled fines will help clearance of a large quantities of CD wastes, thereby benefiting the environment and ecology.