Decrease In Tension Research Articles

Comparison of knee kinematics and ligament forces in single and multi-radius cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty: A computer simulation study

BackgroundThe single-radius design in total knee arthroplasty has been designed to develop a more fixed flexion–extension axis without mid-flexion instability compared with the multi-radius design. It remains unclear whether differences between the multi-radius and single-radius designs can affect kinematics and collateral ligament forces. This study aimed to simulate knee kinematics and kinetics between single-radius and multi-radius models using a musculoskeletal computer model. MethodsThe single-radius and multi-radius femoral components were virtually implanted in a computer simulation using the same tibial insert. The effects of implant design on kinematics and medial collateral ligament forces during squatting and gait activities were analyzed. ResultsDuring squatting, the multi-radius model exhibited paradoxical anterior translation on both the medial and lateral flexion facet center where peak anterior translation was 2.4 mm for medial flexion facet center and 2.2 mm for the lateral flexion facet center, while the peak anterior translation of the single-radius model was less than 1 mm at early flexion. A rapid decrease in medial collateral ligament tension was observed in the early flexion phase in the multi-radius model, which occurred simultaneously with paradoxical anterior translation, whereas the relatively constant medial collateral ligament tension was observed in the single-radius model. During gait activity, the single-radius model exhibited a more posterior position than the multi-radius model. ConclusionThese suggest that abrupt changes in the medial collateral ligament force influence anterior sliding of the femur, and that the single-radius design is a reasonable choice for prevention of mid-flexion instability.

Understanding the Buoy Effect of Surface-Enriched Pt Complexes in Ionic Liquids: A combined ARXPS and Pendant Drop Study.

Recently, we demonstrated that Pt catalyst complexes dissolved in the ionic liquid (IL) [C4C1Im][PF6] can be deliberately enriched at the IL surface by introducing perfluorinated substituents, which act like buoys dragging the metal complex towards the surface. Herein, we extend our angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) studies at complex concentrations between 30 and 5%mol down to 1%mol and present complementary surface tension pendant drop (PD) measurements under ultra clean vacuum conditions. This combination allows for connec-ting the microscopic information on the IL/gas interface from ARXPS with the macroscopic property surface tension. The surface enrichment of the Pt complexes is found to be most pronounced at 1%mol. It also displays a strong temperature dependence, which was not observed for 5%mol and above, where the surface is already saturated with the complex. The surface enrichment deduced from ARXPS is also reflected by the pronounced decrease in surface tension with increasing concentration of the catalyst. We furthermore observe by ARXPS and PD a much stronger surface affinity of the buoy-complex as compared to the free ligands in solution. Our results are highly interesting for an optimum design of ionic catalyst solutions contact areas with a surrounding reactant/product phase, such as in SILP catalysis.

THE ACID-BASE CHANGES IN HIGHLY QUALIFIED ORIENTER SPORTSMEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GLUCOSE ELECTROLYTE DRINK WITH THE PLANT EXTRACTS ADDITION

In real conditions of high-intensity training and competitive load of athletes, the most important for sports success is the preservation of energy metabolism indicators, and, in particular, the acid-base balance in the range of homeostatic normal values. One of the possible ways to maintain the acid-base balance of an athlete is the use of homeostatic electrolyte drinks, which can have a fairly rapid effect. In this regard, for our work we have identified the following goal of the study: to analyze the possibility of using the functional drink "Aluston" (FDA) produced by JSC "Alushta Essential Oil Plant" to maintain the acid-base balance of athletes and a possible increase in performance, training duration, resistance of athletes to long-term physical activity of high intensity.
 Methods: Stepwise loading protocol was used on a Kettler bicycle ergometer (Hmbq, Germany). Capillary blood sampling from athletes was carried out at rest before the start of the load and immediately after it was completed using an Epoc capillary (Epocal Inc., Canada). Biochemical parameters of blood like pH, concentration of CO2 and O2, [Na+], [К+], [Сa2+], [Cl–], [HCO3–], Lactate, Glucose, Crea, Hct, Hb, BE(ecf), BE(b ) were recorded by the Epocreader and Epochost analyzers (Epocal Inc., Canada). It was shown that FDA contributes to the stabilization of anion gaps, reduces the severity of the shift of the standard (BE-ecf) and true (BE-b) excess bases into the negative range, which can be regarded as a more pronounced preservation of the “strength” of blood buffer systems, and contributed to a decrease in tension in the pair acidosis-alkalosis. In addition, FDA supplementation likely shifts the phase of creatine fermentation to later loading stages.
 The last experimental fact requires further research, and also, modification changes in the composition, concentration ratio of active components in the “Aluston” drink remain relevant.

Finite element analysis of zonular forces

To determine the effect of zonular forces on lens capsule topography, a finite element (FE) analyses of lens capsules with no lens stroma and constant and variable thickness with anterior capsulotomies of 1.5 mm–6.5 mm were evaluated when subjected to equatorial (Ez), anterior (Az) and posterior (Pz) zonular forces. The lens capsule was considered in the unaccommodated state when the total initial zonular force was 0.00075 N or 0.3 N. From the total 0.00075 N zonular force, the Ez force was increased in 0.000125 N steps for a maximum force of 0.03 N and simultaneously the Az plus Pz force was reduced in 0.000125 N steps to zero. In addition, the force of all the zonules was reduced from 0.00075 N and separately from 0.3 N in 0.000125 N steps to zero. Only when Ez force was increased as Az and Pz force was reduced did the capsule topography simulate in vivo observations with the posterior capsule pole bowing posteriorly. The posterior bowing was directly related to Ez force and capsulotomy size. Whether the total force of all the zonules in the unaccommodated state was 0.00075 N or 0.3 N and reduced in steps to zero, the lens capsule topography did not emulate the in vivo observations. The FE analysis demonstrated that Ez tension increases while the Az and Pz tension decreases and that all the zonules do not relax during ciliary muscle contraction.

Impact of compliant coating on Mack-mode evolution in hypersonic boundary layers

This paper focuses on the linear evolution of Mack instability modes in a hypersonic boundary layer over a flat plate that is partially coated by a compliant section. The compliant section is a thin, flexible membrane covering on a porous wall consisting of micro holes. The instability pressure could induce a vibration of the membrane, leading to a feedback to the boundary-layer fluids through the transverse velocity fluctuation. Such a process is formulated by an admittance boundary condition for the boundary-layer perturbation, which is dependent on the thickness and tension of the membrane, the properties of the porous wall, and the frequency of the Mack-mode perturbation. Using this admittance condition, the impact of the compliant coating on the Mack growth rate is studied systematically by solving the compressible Orr–Sommerfeld equations. It is found that the compliant coating could suppress the Mack instability with a frequency band in the neighbourhood of the most unstable frequency, and the stabilising frequency band widens as the membrane thickness and tension decrease, indicating a more favourable effect of a softer membrane. For a Mack mode with a specified dimensional frequency – since its dimensionless frequency, normalised by the local boundary-layer thickness and oncoming velocity, increases as it propagates downstream – the second-mode frequency band usually appears in downstream locations, and so does the stabilising effect of the membrane. Thus it is favourable to apply a compliant panel at a downstream region. In this situation, the solid–compliant junction could produce an additional scattering effect on the evolution of the Mack mode due to the sudden change of its boundary condition. The scattering effect is quantified by a transmission coefficient defined by the equivalent amplitude of the compliant-wall perturbation to the solid-wall perturbation, which can be obtained by the harmonic linearised Navier–Stokes (HLNS) approach. If the admittance is weak, then the transmission coefficient can also be predicted by an analytical solution based on the residue theorem. It is found that most of the second modes are suppressed by the scattering effect as long as the argument of the admittance is in the interval $[150^\circ, 210^\circ ]$ , agreeing with most of the physical situation. The analytical predictions agree well with the HLNS calculations when the modulus of the admittance is less than $O(0.1)$ .

Role of nitric oxide and calcium ions in the effects of hydrogen sulfide on contractile activity of rat jejunum

This study was performed to explore the role of nitric oxide, intracellular and extracellular calcium in the effects of hydrogen sulfide on spontaneous and carbachol-induced contractions of a rat jejunum preparation during a isometric contraction. Application of H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide, led to a decrease in tonic tension, the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions, as well as in the amplitude induced by carbachol, a nonspecific acetylcholine receptor agonist. Inhibiting the production of endogenous NO synthesis by with L-NAME, the effect of H2S donor remained unchanged, while in the presence of SNAP, a NO donor, the effects of NaHS on the amplitude of spontaneous and carbachol-induced contractions were less pronounced. Dantrolene, a ryanodine receptor inhibitor was used to stop a decrease in tonic tension in the presence of NaHS. The calcium-free solution reduced the inhibitory effect of NaHS on carbachol-induced contractions. This suggests that the inhibitory effect of H2S is associated with the dynamics of the intracellular concentration of calcium ions, and the interaction between NO and H2S occurs at the level of common targets of two gases.

Resonance and relaxation effects governing the sorption of O2 and CO2 in deionized water under dynamic conditions at 21 ± 1 °C

The behavior of water samples (deionized, deaerated and washed with He) was investigated in dynamics by physicochemical and electrochemical methods. The susceptibility of water samples to sorption of O2 and CO2 from air depends on their pretreatment. Sorption of O2 and CO2 accompanied by the desorption of dissolved helium is a multivariable nonlinear process, presumably, based on resonance and relaxation phenomena within the surface layer. Sorption of O2 and CO2 in water is considered as an interaction between gas molecules and ensembles of H2O molecules, which is assumed to be based on resonance effects. Sorption of gases leads to a, decrease in the surface tension at the water/gas interface. The effect is most pronounced in case of He-washed samples. The decrease in the surface energy upon CO2 absorption and the increase in the relaxation properties of the water surface are probably factors that facilitate sorption of gases, including O2. A fraction of sorbed O2 are contained in nanobubbles formed via water surface relaxation. A change in the viscosity of water samples during the sorption of gases may serve as a relaxation factor favorably affecting the formation and stability of nanobubbles in the surface layer and in bulk water. Irradiation of water with a laser light at λ = 633 nm can generate nano-cavities in the laser beam. In case of very low dissolved O2 concentrations, nanobubbles have no noticeable effect on the oxygen reduction reaction. Water samples washed with helium demonstrate a higher physical and chemical activity compared to other water samples, the activity being manifested in sorption properties. Electrochemical properties of water samples - deionized, deaerated and washed with He - are somewhat different. This is primarily due to the different content of dissolved O2 in the samples. Nonempirical simulations helped in clarifying the experimental data. The key factor that predetermines stability and/or collapse of nanobubbles is the organization of the hydrogen-bond network of water that strongly depends on the presence of water ions and foreign particles. In the case of both deionized water and water washed with He, HCO3-anion cannot participate in stabilization of nanobubbles. On the other hand, OH– anions can stabilize nanobubbles.

Anionic-nonionic and nonionic mixed surfactant systems for oil displacement: Impact of ethoxylate chain lengths on the synergistic effect

Compound surfactant system has been extensively studied in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) as the synergistic effect of mixed surfactants can increase the density of surfactants distributed at the oil/water interface, enhancing the interfacial activity and decreasing the interfacial tension. The system can further increase the capillary number and enhance oil recovery for oil-wet reservoirs. Studying the interactions between surfactant molecules is of great significance to the enhancement of practical application performances. In this study, N, N-dihydroxyethyl alkyl amide (CDEA), and Alkylphenol polyoxyethylene carboxylate (APEC) with different EO numbers were mixed to prepare a binary compound oil displacement system. The influence of the EO number on the synergistic effect of the CDEA/APEC system and the EOR potential was measured by interfacial tension, nanomechanical tests and oil-displacement experiments. The results indicate a synergistic effect between CDEA and APEC due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups of CDEA and the EO chains of APEC. An optimal synergistic effect in the system was obtained when the EO number was four. The CDEA/APEC-4 system exhibited an oil/water interfacial tension decrease to 10−2 mN/m at 75 °C and the oil recovery was 57.14 %, which was increased by 19.2 % compared to primary water flooding. However, a longer EO chain length weakened the interaction forces between CDEA and APEC, which diminished the synergistic effect of the system, leading to an increase of the interfacial tension. Due to the flexibility of the EO chain, the increase in the EO number leads to the bending of APEC molecules. The longer EO chain length weakened the interaction forces between CDEA and APEC, which diminished the synergistic effect of the system, leading to an increase of the interfacial tension. The oil-displacement experiment revealed that the EO chains changed the oil recovery and injection pressure by affecting the interfacial tension of the mixed system. This study has significant implications for the formulation design and optimization of agents for oilfield development.

Characterization of the effects of wettability and pore pressure on the interfacial behavior of CO2 interacting with oil-water two-phase on pore walls

To date, research studies on film-like residual oil have mainly focused on reservoirs in the late stage of water flooding development. However, there have been relatively few studies on film-like residual oil on pore walls after gas flooding. In this study, a molecular dynamics simulation method was used to investigate the behavior characteristics of fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interfaces and the exploitation potential of film-like remaining oil in water-wet, mixed-wet and oil-wet systems under different pore pressures after CO2 flooding. The results indicated that in the oil-in-water system, the cohesive energy density (CED) of the water films was much greater than that of the CO2 and decane components, and the CED of water films in the water-wet systems was slightly greater than the CED of water films in the mixed-wet systems. Regardless of the water-wet or mixed-wet systems, Einter(CO2−decane) was the strongest between the components. Therefore, CO2 molecules could easily enter the oil films and divide the oil phase into clusters of different sizes. The interfacial tension at the CO2 + decane/H2O and H2O/SiO2 interfaces in both the water-wet and mixed-wet systems decreased with increasing pressure. Under the same pressure, the degree of decrease in interfacial tension at the CO2 + decane/H2O interface in the mixed-wet systems was smaller than that in the water-wet systems. The degree of decrease in interfacial tension at the H2O/SiO2 interfaces in the mixed-wet systems was generally greater than that in the water-wet systems. In the water-in-oil system, because the water films isolated the oil films from the CO2 molecules, the interaction energy between the CO2 molecules and oil phase was weak, so the oil films remained on the quartz surfaces. Due to the existence of the hydrogen bond network inside the water phase, the morphological changes in water films were also small when the CO2 molecules interacted with the water phase. At the CO2/H2O interfaces, under the same pressure, the resistance of CO2 molecules to pass through the water films in the oil-wet systems was greater than that in the mixed-wet systems, and the CO2 molecules in the mixed-wet systems were more likely to enter into the water films. The interfacial tension reduction at the interfaces in the mixed-wet systems was smaller than that in the oil-wet systems. At the H2O/decane interfaces, the power of CO2 molecules breaking through the oil-water interfaces and entering into the oil phase in both the mixed-wet and oil-wet systems was basically equal under the same pressure. The interfacial tension reduction at the interfaces in the mixed-wet systems was almost equal to that of the oil-wet systems. At the decane/SiO2 interfaces, the CED of the oil films in the oil-wet systems was greater than that in the oil-wet systems under the same pressures, and the Einter(CO2−SiO2) in the mixed-wet systems was greater than the Einter(CO2−SiO2) in the oil-wet systems, indicating that CO2 molecules were more easily adsorbed on the quartz surfaces in the mixed-wet systems, and the interfacial tension reduction at the interfaces in the mixed-wet systems was greater than that of the oil-wet systems. The interfacial tension at the CO2/H2O, H2O/decane and decane/SiO2 interfaces in both the mixed-wet and oil-wet systems decreased with increasing pressure. The research results provide a reference for understanding the fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interface behaviors and the exploitation potential of film-like residual oil during CO2 gas flooding.

Designing effective enhanced oil recovery fluid: Combination of graphene oxide, D118 SuperPusher, and Chuback surfactant

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is one of the most essential branches of petroleum engineering and aims to maximize oil extraction from reservoirs. This research focuses on the utilization of graphene oxide (GO) in combination with a D118 SuperPusher compound and a natural surfactant (Chuback) to enhance oil recovery. The objective is to optimize the efficiency of the EOR process through a multi-component approach. The application of Chuback leads to a substantial decrease in interfacial tension (IFT), particularly in carbonate rock formations. This is attributed to the unique characteristics of carbonate rocks, which exhibit greater susceptibility to wettability alterations. Moreover, GO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized, then characterized and incorporated into the surfactant-polymer system, creating surfactant-polymer-nanoparticle (SPN) fluids. The selection of optimum fluid formulations for the EOR process is facilitated through the utilization of Design Expert, a statistical software tool. Factors such as surfactant concentration, polymer concentration, NPs concentration, and two types of salt concentrations are specifically chosen as variables that can influence the fluid's performance during the flooding step. Parameters including IFT, contact angle (CA) (which affects wetting behavior), and shear viscosity (which impacts fluid flow) are considered responses. The efficacy of the suggested fluid formulation for EOR is validated through core flooding investigations. Core flooding investigations validated the efficacy of the suggested fluid for EOR, with recovery factors of up to 30% and 56% in sandstone and carbonate core samples, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of the proposed approach to significantly enhance oil recovery from both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs.

The major influence of anterior and equatorial zonular fibres on the far-to-near accommodation revealed by a 3D pre-stressed model of the anterior eye

PurposeTo explore the synergistic function of the ligaments in eye, the zonular fibres, that mediate change in eye lens shape to allow for focussing over different distances. MethodsA set of 3D Finite Element models of the anterior eye together with a custom developed pre-stress modelling approach was proposed to simulate vision for distant objects (the unaccommodated state) to vision for near objects (accommodation). One of the five zonular groups was cut off in sequence creating five models with different zonular arrangements, the contribution of each zonular group was analysed by comparing results of each specific zonular-cut model with those from the all-zonules model in terms of lens shape and zonular tensions. ResultsIn the all-zonular model, the anterior and equatorial zonules carry the highest tensions. In the anterior zonular-cut model, the equatorial zonular tension increases while the posterior zonular tension decreases, resulting in an increase in the change in Central Optical Power (COP). In the equatorial zonular-cut model, both the anterior and posterior zonular tensions increase, causing a decreasing change in COP. The change in COP decreases only slightly in the other models. For vitreous zonular-cut models, little change was seen in either the zonular tension or the change in COP. ConclusionsThe anterior and the equatorial zonular fibres have the major influence on the change in lens optical power, with the anterior zonules having a negative effect and the equatorial zonules contributing a positive effect. The contribution to variations in optical power by the equatorial zonules is much larger than by the posterior zonules.

FLASH-RT does not affect chromosome translocations and junction structures beyond that of CONV-RT dose-rates

Background and purposeThe impact of radiotherapy (RT) at ultra high vs conventional dose rate (FLASH vs CONV) on the generation and repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) is an important question that remains to be investigated. Here, we tested the hypothesis as to whether FLASH-RT generates decreased chromosomal translocations compared to CONV-RT. Materials and methodsWe used two FLASH validated electron beams and high-throughput rejoin and genome-wide translocation sequencing (HTGTS-JoinT-seq), employing S. aureus and S. pyogenes Cas9 “bait” DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in HEK239T cells, to measure differences in bait-proximal repair and their genome-wide translocations to “prey” DSBs generated after various irradiation doses, dose rates and oxygen tensions (normoxic, 21% O2; physiological, 4% O2; hypoxic, 2% and 0.5% O2). Electron irradiation was delivered using a FLASH capable Varian Trilogy and the eRT6/Oriatron at CONV (0.08–0.13 Gy/s) and FLASH (1x102-5x106 Gy/s) dose rates. Related experiments using clonogenic survival and γH2AX foci in the 293T and the U87 glioblastoma lines were also performed to discern FLASH-RT vs CONV-RT DSB effects. ResultsNormoxic and physioxic irradiation of HEK293T cells increased translocations at the cost of decreasing bait-proximal repair but were indistinguishable between CONV-RT and FLASH-RT. Although no apparent increase in chromosome translocations was observed with hypoxia-induced apoptosis, the combined decrease in oxygen tension with IR dose-rate modulation did not reveal significant differences in the level of translocations nor in their junction structures. Furthermore, RT dose rate modality on U87 cells did not change γH2AX foci numbers at 1- and 24-hours post-irradiation nor did this affect 293T clonogenic survival. ConclusionIrrespective of oxygen tension, FLASH-RT produces translocations and junction structures at levels and proportions that are indistinguishable from CONV-RT.

V-belt Tension Reduction Diagnostic Method By Using Multi-Frequency Current Power Spectrum Density

Motors are used in many factories and need stable operation. A V-belt is a device that transmits motor power to a load, and its tension decreases with prolonged use, which degrades the motor efficiency and causes such abnormalities as wear and cracks. The timing of belt replacement when the belt tension decreases is presently determined by regular inspections. An automatic diagnosis of belt-tension decrease is required to lower labor costs. One automatic diagnosis method applies FFT analysis to the phase current that is applied to the motor and focuses on the signal intensity at a specific frequency. Since this method can only detect belt tension after it has progressed, early detection is necessary. Our new method using motor phase current enabled early detection of belt-a tension decrease.

Effect of empagliflozin on the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concomitant heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a common disease affecting more than half of people with heart failure. Among the extracardiac proinflammatory conditions, type 2 diabetes mellitus, which occurs in approximately 30–40 % of patients with heart failure, deserves special attention. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin on the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and concomitant heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Materials and methods. One hundred and twenty patients met the study criteria and were randomized in a 1 : 1 ratio to the empagliflozin group (n = 60) or the control group (n = 60), which received other antidiabetic drugs. The follow-up period lasted 12 weeks. A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed and functional and structural changes of the heart in these diseases were identified. Results. The data showed a marked improvement in several cardiac parameters. One important result was a decrease in the left ventricular mass index, which indicates a reduction in the left ventricular size and hypertrophy. This reduction shows a favorable course of remodeling and a potential regression of cardiac remodeling under the influence of empagliflozin. In addition, the study demonstrated an improvement in the left ventricular diastolic function. In particular, deceleration time and the E/e’ ratio showed favorable changes. Deceleration time, which reflects the relaxation and compliance of the left ventricle, decreased significantly, indicating an improvement in diastolic function. The E/e’ ratio, a marker of the left ventricular filling pressure, also showed positive changes, indicating a decrease in cardiac tension and improved ventricular relaxation. Conclusions. The results of the study demonstrated that empagliflozin treatment has a posi­tive effect on various cardiovascular parameters in patients with the studied diseases, in particular on the left ventricular diastolic function. These findings contribute to our understanding of the therapeutic potential of empagliflozin in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Calming effect of Clinically Designed Improvisatory Music for patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study.

Epilepsy monitoring requires simulating seizure-inducing conditions which frequently causes discomfort to epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) patients. COVID-19 hospital restrictions added another layer of stress during hospital admissions. The purpose of this pilot study was to provide evidence that live virtual Clinically Designed Improvisatory Music (CDIM) brings relief to EMU patients for their psychological distress. Five persons with epilepsy (PWEs) in the EMU during the COVID-19 lockdown participated in the study (average age ± SD = 30.2 ± 6 years). Continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (EKG) were obtained before, during, and after live virtual CDIM. CDIM consisted of 40 minutes of calming music played by a certified clinical music practitioner (CMP) on viola. Post-intervention surveys assessed patients' emotional state on a 1-10 Likert scale. Alpha/beta power spectral density ratio was calculated for each subject across the brain and was evaluated using one-way repeated analysis of variance, comparing 20 minutes before, during, and 20 minutes after CDIM. Post-hoc analysis was performed using paired t-test at the whole brain level and regions with peak changes. Patients reported enhanced emotional state (9 ± 1.26), decrease in tension (9.6 ± 0.49), decreased restlessness (8.6 ± 0.80), increased pleasure (9.2 ± 0.98), and likelihood to recommend (10 ± 0) on a 10-point Likert scale. Based on one-way repeated analysis of variance, alpha/beta ratio increased at whole-brain analysis (F3,12 = 5.01, P = 0.018) with a peak in midline (F3,12 = 6.63, P = 0.0068 for Cz) and anterior medial frontal region (F3,12 = 6.45, P = 0.0076 for Fz) during CDIM and showed a trend to remain increased post-intervention. In this pilot study, we found positive effects of CDIM as reported by patients, and an increased alpha/beta ratio with meaningful electroencephalographic correlates due to the calming effects in response to CDIM. Our study provides proof of concept that live virtual CDIM offered demonstrable comfort with biologic correlations for patients admitted in the EMU during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remediation of Pb- and, Cd-contaminated soil through magnetic-modified eluent synergetic freeze-thaw and washing

For the improved washing efficiency of clayey soil, utilized magnetization technology was used in this study to enhance the physicochemical properties (e.g., viscosity, surface tension, and contact angle) of the eluent. Lead- and cadmium-contaminated clayey soil was used as the research subject in an experimental study aimed to enhance the heavy metal removal efficiency through a magnetized modified eluent and freezing-thawing effect by using EDTA as the eluent. The magnetization test results indicate that the EDTA solution's viscosity, surface tension, and contact angle decrease after magnetization, thus improving the wettability, enhancing the eluent's full contact with heavy metal pollutants, and consequently increasing the removal rate. The results of the freezing–thawing and washing column test show that magnetization reduced the viscosity of eluent, decreased soil seepage or migration resistance, and increased moisture migration during freezing. After three cycles of freezing-thawing and washing, the removal rates for Cd and Pb were 79.35% and 70.38%, respectively. The technology of magnetized eluent is facile to operate and serves as an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly auxiliary method for increasing the efficiency of freezing–thawing–washing processes, offering a novel approach for soil remediation.

A First Analysis of the Ensemble of Local Maxima of Maximal Center Gauge

Maximal center gauge (MCG) aims to detect some of the most important vacuum configurations, suggesting thick magnetic flux tubes quantized to non-trivial center elements of the gauge group being responsible for confinement. Due to the NP-hardness of a global maximization of the gauge functional only numeric procedures aiming for local maxima are possible. We observe a linear decrease in the string tension with increasing gauge functional value of the local maxima. This implies that the request to get as close as possible to the absolute maximum is unattainable. We compare global properties of the ensemble of local maxima with other methods to detect center vortices and with determinations of the string tension from full configurations. This comparison indicates that the information about the number and positions of center vortices is contained in the structure of the ensemble of local maxima. This may pave the way for a future more successful formulation of the gauge condition.

Investigation of surfactant effect on ozone bubble motion and mass transfer characteristics

The low solubility and low mass transfer efficiency of ozone (O3) in water are important reasons for limiting the application of ozone oxidation technology and advanced ozone oxidation technology. Low-dose surfactants were introduced to affect the behavior of ozone bubbles, influencing the ozone mass transfer efficiency. The motion of ozone bubbles in three different types of surfactant solutions (polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij35), sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)) was observed. The decrease in surface tension led to a decrease in bubble size, a tendency to spherical shape, an increase in gas content and residence time, a decrease in lateral displacement of a single bubble, and a more stable trajectory. The effect of surfactants on ozone mass transfer was further investigated. The addition of surfactant was found to increase the gas-liquid interface area but decrease the liquid phase mass transfer coefficient, and the extent of the two opposite effects varied for different surfactants. The analysis combined with the removal of pollutant p-Nitrophenol (PNP) showed that the addition of the nonionic surfactant Brij35 and the anionic surfactant SDS inhibited ozone mass transfer, while low concentrations of the cationic surfactant CTAB enhanced ozone mass transfer. When the CTAB concentration was 3 mg L−1, the ozone volume mass transfer coefficient reached a maximum of 0.2902 min−1.

Pickering emulsion stabilized by conjugated sodium caseinate-ascorbic acid nanoparticles: Synthesis and physicochemical characterization

This study investigated the effect of sodium caseinate (SC)-ascorbic acid (AA) interaction under thermal (as a Maillard reaction) treatment on the physicochemical properties of the SC-AA colloidal particles, as well as, the physical and oxidative stability of the prepared Pickering emulsion (PE) using colloidal particles as an aqueous phase with the volumetric ratio of 50:50 water and oil. The stable colloidal suspensions were obtained when the concentration of SC-AA solution was set at 10 and 1 mg/mL for SC and AA, respectively. The fluorescence and FT-IR results showed strong hydrophobic interaction in SC-AA complex, but after heat treatment of SC and AA (HSC-AA), the covalent Schiff base type bond formed. In the HSC-AA sample, the percentage of free amino group reduction (∼32%) confirmed the Maillard reaction occurrence, and the results of SDS-PAGE showed cross-linking between SC particles. A significant decrease in interfacial tension was observed in samples containing AA, which reached the lowest value in HSC-AA (6.5 mN/m). Also, the wettability of HSC-AA increased based on a three-phase contact angle analysis to θ ∼82°. In the case of physical stability, while SC, SC-AA, and HSC samples could not stabilize the PE, the HSC-AA showed the best physical stability for more than 90 days at 4 °C and 7 days at 37 °C. CLSM images showed HSC-AA particles were located around the oil droplet. Based on TBARS results, the value of advanced oxidation product was the lowest for HSC-AA stabilized PE, indicating the protective effect of HSC-AA solid particles against lipid oxidation. This research confirmed the HSC-AA effectiveness as a solid particle stabilizer for PE, especially in reduced fat formulations. These results are valuable due to the common use of SC and AA as food-grade additives.

Co-culture of Acinetobacter sp. and Scedosporium sp. immobilized beads for optimized biosurfactant production and degradation of crude oil

The widespread exploration and exploitation of crude oil has increased the prevalence of petroleum hydrocarbon pollution in the marine and coastal environment. Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons using cell immobilization techniques is gaining increasing attention. In this study, the crude oil degradation performance of bacterial and fungal co-culture was optimized by entrapping both cells in sodium-alginate and polyvinyl alcohol composite beads. Results indicate that fungal cells remained active after entrapment and throughout the experiment, while bacterial cells were non-viable at the end of the experimental period in treatments with the bacterial-fungal ratio of 1:2. A remarkable decrease in surface tension from 72 mN/m to 36.51 mN/m was achieved in treatments with the bacterial-fungal ratio of 3:1. This resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal rate of 89.4%, and the highest degradation of n-alkanes fractions (from 2129.01 mg/L to 118.53 mg/L), compared to the other treatments. Whereas PAHs removal was highest in treatments with the most fungal abundance (from 980.96 μg/L to 177.3 μg/L). Furthermore, enzymes analysis test revealed that catalase had the most effect on microbial degradation of the target substrate, while protease had no significant impact on the degradation process. High expression of almA and PAH-RHDa genes was achieved in the co-culture treatments, which correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with n-alkanes and PAHs removal, respectively. These results indicate that the application of immobilized bacterial and fungal cells in defined co-culture systems is an effective strategy for enhanced biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in aqueous systems.