Decrement In Rate Research Articles

Phase stability and deformation behavior of AlCoCr0.3FexPd2.3 high entropy alloys with identical valence electron concentration

The present theoretical exploration unfolds opportunities to unravel phase stability along with deformation modes for AlCoCr0.3FexPd2.3 high entropy alloys (HEAs) with a broad range of various Fe content (0.5 to 14) through invariable valence electron concentrations (VEC). Although, the paired sigma-forming element (PSFE) parameter showed the absence of σ phase formation, it was found, amidst all selected HEAs, the alloys with Fe ≥ 6.5 place in solid solution + intermetallic region, in which volume fraction of face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution increases with enhancing Fe content. Investigation of generalized stacking fault curves and twinning formation criteria determine that, twinning formation for studied HEAs decreases with increasing Fe content. In such cases, it was suggested that dislocation-mediated slip and martensitic transformation likely overcome the plastic deformation. In order to have a reliable framework for electronic properties in selected HEAs, density of states (DOS) and total charge density calculations have been applied. Accordingly, HEAs with higher Fe content showed more stable structures due to decremental rates of DOS curves.

Experimental and theoretical DFT study of hydrothermally synthesized MoS2-doped-TiO2 nanocomposites for photocatalytic application

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have shown considerable potential in photocatalytic applications. In the present research, the hydrothermal technique was used to prepare 2D MoS2, TiO2, and 2D layered structured with basic ration formulation as MoS2(1-x)TiO2x (X = 5 %, 10 %w/w) nanocomposites as an effective catalyst for degradation of aqueous methylene blue (M.B.) under controlled light radiations. The GGA-PBE computed approach was used to estimate the energy bandgap (Eg), electronic, and optical properties of 2D MoS2, TiO2, and MoS2(1-x)TiO2x (X = 5 %, 10 %) by density functional quantum computing simulation. The TiO2 nanospheres were efficiently decorated on the surface of layered of MoS2 and some of nanospheres mixed into layered matrix. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigate the morphology and crystal phase structure of the samples. Experimental and theoretical results related the energy bandgap (Eg) of the 2D layered structure of MoS2, TiO2, and MoS2(1-x)TiO2x (5 %, 10 % w/w) shows a decrement trend 1.56, 2.4, 1.02, and 0.5 eV respectively with increasing doping percentages. The observed extra gamma active states of MoS2(1-x)TiO2x (X = 5 %, 10 % w/w) are found to be generated and contributed to the creation of conduction and valance bands as the result of the decremented of their energy bandgap. The optical conductance was increased from 2.5 to 9.8 Ω−1cm−1 with a bandgap decrement of 2.4–0.5 eV in the ultraviolet–visible spectrum region. Exploration of theoretical and experimental results of this work, the MoS2(1-x)TiO2x (5 %, 10 % w/w) show increment in absorbance from 1.4 × 105 to 4.5 × 105 cm−1 and 0.6 cm−1 to 1.25 cm−1 respectively. The most interesting result is at the peak of 650 nm wavelength, as it is considered a proficient photo-catalyst material due to the enhanced absorption surface area for exposure of light and decrement of the photo-generated charge recombination rate and increment of the charge transportation with the inclusion of TiO2. The breakdown of methylene blue within 15 min confirmed that the prepared MoS2(1-x)TiO2x nanocomposite was a stable, and cost-effective material for photocatalytic application.

Effect of friction stir processing on mechanical, in vitro degradation, and biocompatibility behaviour of stir casted Mg-Zn-rare earth oxide composites for biodegradable implant applications

The current work takes the benefit of utilizing a composite approach by reinforcing Mg with Zn, Cerium oxide - a rare earth and bone-friendly ceramic, and bioactive hydroxyapatite to develop magnesium-based MMCs for high structural integrity and low degradation inside the human body via stir casting technique in a protective Ar-SF6 environment. The friction stir processing (FSP) technique was employed to tailor the properties of as-cast Mg composites, resulting in further grain refinement and better dispersion of reinforced materials. Phase and microstructure analysis were analyzed via XRD, FESEM, and optical microscopy. During tensile tests, as-cast Mg-5Zn-1HA-1.5CeO2 improved 68.6% in yield strength and 16.3% in ultimate tensile strength. After FSP, the same composite resulted in an overall improvement of 114.6% in yield strength and 31.9% in ultimate strength compared to as-cast pure Mg. Dispersion of inert bioceramics within the Mg matrix results in higher polarization resistance as per Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). At the same time, a remarkable 81.6% reduction in H2 emission and an 84.4% decrement in corrosion rate were found during the immersion study for Mg-5Zn-1HA-1.5CeO2 composites. All Mg-based composites exhibited no cytotoxicity as cell viability evaluated via MTT assay was found to be greater than 80% for 50% and 25% extract concentrations. The composite’s hemolysis rate was below 5%, indicating acceptable hemocompatibility. This work provides insight into developing rare earth oxide-incorporated Mg composites with better mechanical capabilities and degradation resistance while avoiding the long-term cytotoxicity of rare-earth materials.

Effect of Bronchial Blood Flow on Respiratory Heat Exchange: A Mathematical Analysis for Infectious Diseases

Abstract The present study aims to mathematically analyze the role of bronchial blood flow on heat transfer in respiratory infections. In general, the exchange of heat transfer in various infectious diseases like COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has adversely affected respiration by reducing the physiological efficiency of the human respiratory tract. The mechanism of heat exchange through airway walls with the bronchial blood circulation still needs to be thoroughly studied for infectious diseases. In this article, a three-dimensional (3D) spatio-temporal theoretical model is developed to estimate the possible role of bronchial blood on heat exchange during breathing. The local description of the model is presented in a comprehensive and consistent dimensionless framework to explicitly state the actual physiological background. The global description is framed by a multicompartment-based approach, and the algorithm is solved using an advanced numerical scheme to ensure computational tractability. The numerical study elucidates the role of inhalation air temperature, breathing cycles, blood perfusion rate, and mucosal hydration. The outcomes of the algorithm estimate the parameters of the isothermal saturation boundary (ISB), which is defined as the position in the respiratory tract where the temperature of inhaled air comes in equilibrium with the body core saturation temperature. The derived results help to understand the pathophysiological threshold limits and recommend the values to evaluate respiratory distress. With the variations of inspiratory flow conditions, it is observed that the ISB position shifts to the distal branches with the increment in inhalation temperature, breathing rate and virus infection, and decrement in blood perfusion rate. The two antiparallel effects are observed: inhalation of cold air transmits the viral infection, and inhalation of warm air produces thermal injury. However, both can be well controlled by suitable ventilation rates. The observed threshold values may be helpful in clinical trials to correlate the anatomic configuration with pathophysiology.

Realisation of Fractal Grid-Induced Turbulence Strength with PTFV: Effects of Grid Geometry

The unravelling of multilength-scale insert-generated turbulence, particularly, the induced-forcing plays critical role in the fundamental comprehension of energy formation and decay as a function of grid conformation. This study experimentally investigates the flow mechanical characteristics at ReDh = 4.1 × 104 for a regular-grid (RG), single-square-grid (SSG) and six 2D planar space-filling square-fractal-grids (SFG) of different fractal iterations (N), thickness ratios (tr) and blockage ratios (σ) via piezoelectric thin-film flapping velocimetry (PTFV). Thin-film’s tip-deflection (δrms) and voltage response (Vrms) analysis along the grids’ centreline reveals increasing flow fluctuation strength with increasing σ, tr and decreasing N, owing to higher shedding intensity of lower frequency, larger scale energy-containing vortices from thicker first iteration bar. However, higher: energy dissipation rate, centreline mean velocity decrement rate and local deceleration experienced in the turbulence decay region of larger tr grid, along with additional fractal scales lead to less potent flow-structure-interplay on thin-film undulation. More importantly, SSG-generated turbulence enables the generation of average (Vrms, δrms) and millinewton turbulence forcing Frms that are respectively, 9× and 5× larger than RG of similar σ, and 2× larger than the best performing N = 3 SFG. Our findings disclose the importance of grid geometrical management for effective utilisation of turbulence-generating grids in engineering applications.

Schottky junction based solar cell behavior of trichome hierarchical SnO2 nano-structures

Hydrothermally grown SnO2 hierarchical trichome nano-flowers (T-NFLs) have been examined for their device performance compared to nano-flakes (NFs), in part to meet the growing need for metal-oxide based solar cells. The structural analyses reveal superior lattice strain and free energy in the tetragonal phase of the T-NFLs over NFs. The band gap widening and oxygen defect-dominated luminescence in the visible range are observed from photoluminescence measurements. Compared to NFs, the Schottky current-voltage characteristics of the T-NFLs show improved Schottky barrier height (0.82 eV) with an ideality factor of 3.52 under dark and better solar cell properties with a conversion efficiency of 1.78 ± 0.03% under 1 sun illumination. The observed high open-circuit voltage of 1.56 V resulted from the decrement rate of carrier recombination, making the transparent metal oxide nano-material SnO2 T-NFLs suitable for solar cells and fast electronic applications.

SLIPT-Enabled Multi-LED MU-MISO VLC Networks: Joint Beamforming and DC Bias Optimization

This paper studies a simultaneous lightwave information and power transfer (SLIPT)-enabled multi-user (MU) multiple input single output (MISO) visible light communication (VLC) network, where multiple user equipments (UEs) are simultaneously allowed to receive information by the photodiode (PD) and harvest energy by the solar panel, respectively. To improve the system spectral efficiency, an achievable sum rate maximization problem is formulated subject to the minimum energy harvesting (EH) requirement of each UE, the total transmit power constraint of the LEDs and the dimming control constraint of the LEDs, by jointly optimizing the beamforming vector and the direct current (DC) bias vector of the LEDs. To be general, the practical non-linear EH model and the information capacity model of the VLC channel are adopted. To solve the non-convex optimization problem, the objective function is equivalently transformed at first by using the epigraph reformulation, and then the transformed problem is relaxed with the semi-definite relaxation (SDR) method. Based on this, an iterative algorithm is designed to approximately obtain the maximal achievable sum rate based on the successive convex approximation (SCA). Simulation results indicate that there exists a non-trivial trade-off between the achievable sum rate and the harvested energy, and that DC bias vector dominates the amount of the harvested energy compared with the beamforming vector. Besides, for a given relatively high EH requirement, the achievable sum rate increases with the increment of the dimming level, especially for relatively small dimming level. Once the dimming level is larger than a specific value, with the increment of the dimming level, more transmit power will be allocated for illumination, resulting in the decrement of the achievable sum rate.

Evaluating the tribological properties of as-built polyamide 6 + 30 % glass fiber polymer printed by fused deposition modelling via varying the infill density

This Investigation focuses on the effect of tribological properties of 30% of Glass Fiber reinforced Polyamide 6 composites, fabricated by fused deposition modeling by varying different infill densities,(60%,80%,100%).To validate the result of tribological property, the wear rate was calculated and the responses were studied for each infill density percentage of the as-built specimen under 5,10, 15 N load conditions and 500 m sliding distance and at velocities of 1 m/s, 3 m/s, and 5 m/s respectively. From the investigation, it was revealed that increasing the infill density percentage from 60% to 100% of the as-built samples of PA6 + 30% GF led to a decrement in the wear rate. This was attributed due to an increase in bonding strength between the printed layers and an increase in load distribution between the printed layers. The best choice of PA6 + 30%GF with 100% printed samples will be a viable one in automotive and aerospace sliding parts for replacing critical parts.

Ni-Mo-P coatings on thrust plate of a gear pump to enhance its mechanical, tribological, and corrosion resistance properties

Thrust plate in an external gear pump is one of the most important element which aligns the rotating gears and prevents the leakage through lateral clearances between rotating and non-rotating surfaces. It acts as a sacrificing element and fails frequently under fluctuating load pressure condition. The present research aims at enhancing the relative mechanical and tribological properties of the sacrificial thrust plate through electroless Ni-Mo-P coatings. Molybdenum (Mo) concentration in the electroless bath were tested for their effects on surface morphology, hardness, phase formation, wear rate, and wettability. A hard and self-lubricating layer (Al, Ni, Si, and Mo phases) on the coated surface was indicated by the compositional analysis performed using EDS and XRD. Results show that the microhardness of the coated surfaces has increased significantly by 149.5% (maximum hardness ~ 183.45 HV0.2) for 32 g L−1 Mo concentration. With 32 g L−1 Mo, the maximum coating thickness and water contact angle were 58 µm and 111°, respectively. The base material’s coefficient of friction was 0.5, whereas it was 0.25, 0.10, 0.06, and 0.03 for the samples made with 8, 16, 24, and 32 g L−1 Mo concentration, respectively. Compared to the uncoated sample, the maximum decrement in corrosion rate was found to be about six to seven times in the coated sample (with 32 g L−1 Mo). As a result, the developed coating surfaces provide hardness, lubricity, hydrophobicity, corrosion, and wear resistance simultaneously. The methodology of surface treatment can be used to modify the surface of critical hydraulic components having significant wear like in case of hydraulic cylinders.

Insights into the effect of growth on the Ziff–Gulari–Barshad model and the film properties

We perform kinetic Monte Carlo computations with a modified Ziff–Gulari–Barshad (ZGB) model which considers the growth of a film. We show that the growth of the film significantly affects the conclusions that can be drawn from the ZGB model, even if the main mechanism, the surface reaction, remains the same. We compare the results of the growth model to the original ZGB and the phase transitions disappears; they are replaced by a smooth transition from 0 to full coverage. The latter observations qualitatively agree with experimental measurements for the CO2 formation. However, in the growth model the surface is always poisoned to a particular coverage values due to the local height differences of the lattice sites. Finally, a potential mechanism based only on surface phenomena which can lead to the decrement of the growth rate even if the amount of the precursor increases is explored.

Development and Verification of Wireless Vibration Sensors

Structural vibration testing is an effective guarantee for the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of large-scale civil engineering. Traditional vibration testing has drawbacks such as difficulties in wiring and picking up low-frequency signals, low communication speed, and susceptibility to testing site conditions. In order to improve the universality of wireless vibration sensors, this article develops a wireless vibration sensor, introduces the module composition and basic principles of the sensor, and conducts standard vibration table performance comparison tests between wired acceleration sensors and wireless vibration sensors, verifying the accuracy of wireless vibration sensors. In order to further explore the feasibility of wireless vibration sensor applications, the wired acceleration sensor and wireless vibration sensor were used to analyze the structural dynamic characteristics of the four-layer steel frame structure model in the laboratory, and the comparison was made based on ABAQUS finite element simulation. Finally, the field vibration test was carried out outdoors. The results show that the natural frequency identification results of the wireless vibration sensor and the wired acceleration sensor for the four-story steel frame structure through fast Fourier transform, short-time Fourier transform, and wavelet transform are basically the same, the half-power bandwidth method and logarithmic decrement rate method are used to identify the damping, and wavelet transform is used to identify the vibration mode with minimal error and high accuracy. It shows that the wireless vibration sensor is feasible in practical engineering, has stable and reliable transmission capacity, and can provide certain reference values for earthquake monitoring, building Structural Health Monitoring, etc.

Molecular dynamics simulation of the evaporation of thin liquid sodium film on the conical nanostructure surface

Deeply understanding the evaporation of the nanoscale thin liquid film on the nanostructure substrates is significant for further constructing the novel wick structure with nanostructure surfaces, which would be used in the optimal design of the sodium heat pipe. For this purpose, this paper investigates the evaporation of thin liquid film on conical nanostructured surfaces by the molecular dynamics method. A cuboid evaporation system is constructed. It consists of the bottom solid substrate and thin liquid sodium film. A flat solid wall is set as the reference. By changing the nanoscale cone's number and height, five conical nanostructure surfaces are built. The number of gas atoms and the total energy of fluid atoms are observed respectively. The evaporation rate and the average heat flux (q) of six cases are compared. The conical nanostructure suppresses evaporation. With the roughness of the conical nanostructures, the evaporation rate decrement maximum can reach 83% and the q decrement maximum can reach 58%. Based on the thermal resistances in the solid-liquid contact region, the D (Self-diffusion coefficient), and the peak values of RDF (Radial distribution function), the mechanisms of the conical nanostructure surfaces are analyzed. The suppressing effects of the conical nanostructure surfaces are achieved by weakening the heat conduction in the solid-liquid contact region and mitigating the collision heat transfer of liquid atoms.

Enhancing anaerobic digestion of automotive paint sludge through biochar addition

The reduction of traditional fuel sources and the unpredictability of the global economy have led to a push for renewable energy alternatives. Waste recycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the effects of different proportions of biochar on the efficiency of mesophilic anaerobic digestion of automotive paint sludge were investigated over a period of one month. A combination of paint sludge and anaerobic sludge in a ratio of three to one was used, and biochar was added to the anaerobic digestion reactor in two different amounts of 10 and 26 g/l, with a control sample without biochar. The cumulative volume of biogas produced at the end of the one-month experiment was recorded for three samples: the control sample (without biochar), the second sample (with 2 g of biochar), and the third sample (with 5.2 g of biochar). The volumes of biogas produced were 300, 380, and 530 ml, respectively. Additionally, the COD reduction rates were 25%, 33%, and 48%, and the VS decrement rates were 21%, 27%, and 43%, respectively. The findings showed that adding biochar to the anaerobic digestion reactor containing automotive paint sludge increased biogas production. Additionally, gas chromatography results for an optimal sample of biogas extracted from the anaerobic digestion reactor indicated the presence of about 50% methane gas. These results highlight the potential for utilizing biochar in anaerobic digestion processes to improve renewable energy production and waste management.

Numerical study of transient convective turbulent boundary layer flow along a vertical plate: analysis of kinetic energy and its dissipation rate

ABSTRACT The present article numerically investigates the turbulent buoyancy-driven (natural convection) flow along a vertical plate with a low Reynolds turbulence two-equation k-ϵ model. The deployed turbulence model is appropriate for low Reynolds number (LRN) turbulent flow adjacent to a solid boundary, and the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) and dissipation rate of TKE are estimated using the momentum equations and are solved simultaneously with the mean flow conservation equations. Two-dimensional time-dependent viscous incompressible turbulent flow is simulated. This flow domain is governed by a highly non-linear group of partial differential equations, namely the time-averaged continuity, momentum, and energy, and also the flow property is determined through TKE, and dissipation rate of TKE equations. Since these equations are not solvable using analytical methods, an implicit second-order finite difference method is employed to solve the governing turbulent flow equations numerically. The simulated time-averaged velocity, temperature, TKE, and dissipation rate of TKE profiles along with friction factor and heat transfer rate are computed for different values of turbulent Reynolds and Prandtl numbers. Average velocity, temperature, turbulence energy, and dissipation rate under both transient and steady-state conditions are decreased with increment in . There is a decrement in average transient velocity and turbulence energy rates with increasing values, whereas the average temperature profile increases. Average steady temperature and turbulence energy profiles are also enhanced with rising values of . The majority of researchers focus on laminar flow and thus far turbulent flow has mainly been addressed through experiments only. To better elucidate the flow in this condition, the novelty of the present study is to utilize a numerical FDM procedure to probe more deeply into the turbulence characteristics in buoyancy-driven (natural convection) flow along a vertical plate with a low Reynolds turbulence two-equation k-ϵ model, as this topic is fundamental to many applications in science and engineering. Furthermore, the results of the turbulent flow simulations obtained from the current model are corroborated with existing results for the special case of laminar flow and a good correlation is achieved.

사이클 국가대표 후보선수의 종목별 신체구성 및 최대근력과 무산소성 파워 비교 분석

This study compared and analyzed the body composition, maximal muscle strength and anaerobic power for discipline among cycling national prospective team athletes. The 16 cyclists consisting of sprinting athletes(6 men) and endurance athletes(10 men), who joined the winter training camp in 2020 as a member of the cycling national prospective team, were selected as a candidate for this study. Body composition, maximal muscle strength and anaerobic power of the athletes participated were measured and an independent t-test was used as the analyzing method for the data collected. The results showed that body weight, volume of the skeletal mass, body fat ratio were significantly different from each groups in the body composition(p.05, p.01). Meaningful difference for grip strength (right and left), bench press, and squat between groups in maximum muscle power was indicated(p.05, p.01, p.001). The study showed that there was a meaningful difference for absolute peck power, relative peck power, absolute average power, relative average power, absolute minimum power, relative minimum power, absolute decrement, relative decrement, time decrement, and fatigue rate between each groups(p.05, p.01). There was a prominent distinction between the groups for absolute power, relative power, and pedaling in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage of the anaerobic power as well. Therefore, it is expected that performances of both sprinters and endurance riders, physical strength, and power ability can be measured and compared through this study and the conclusion can be used as a reference for the improvement for the riders

Research on dynamic characteristics of a multi-motor electric driving system caused by parasitic power

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions in dealing with climate change, raplacing fule vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs) is one of the most effective measures. The multi-motor electric drive system (MMEDS), which is widely used in EVs, is driven by two or more permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) by parallel shaft gear set (PSGS). Due to the action of forced synchronization of PSGS, once there is a rotational speed difference (∆V) between PMSMs, this will break the balance of output power between PMSMs and cause the increase in output power of some PMSMs while others decrease or even become negative, and eventually generate parasitic power. Parasitic power in MMEDS is bound to cause an autoexcitation vibration and a variation in dynamic characteristics of MMEDS. Therefore, in this paper, an electro-mechanical coupled dynamic model of MMEDS is set up, including a dynaimc model of PSGS and a dynaimc model of PMSM. Then, the affect of the forced synchronization action of PSGS on the dynamic characteristic of MMEDS is investigated under different ∆V. The results show that under the action of the forced synchronization of PSGS, the output power of the PMSM with a fast speed (or a slow speed) increase (or decreases) with the increasing of ∆V, and when ∆V ≤5 rpm, the increment rate or decrement rate of the output power of PMSM is obviously greater than that when ∆V>5 rpm. Meanwhile, ∆V has a singnificant effect on the nonlinearity of the vibration of the wheel, which increases first and then decreases with ∆V increases. The dominated frequencies of dynamic meshing force (DMF) of gear pair do not change with ∆V, but their contributions to the amplitude of the DMF change with ∆V. Moreover, the modulation frequencies also appear in the spectrum of the DMF, but their contributions to the amplitude of the DMF are singnificantly less than that of the dominated frequencies

Transport phenomena in Darcy-Forchheimer flow over a rotating disk with magnetic field and multiple slip effects: modified Buongiorno nanofluid model

The current study focuses on investigating the significance of magnetic field and multiple slip constraints on the water-based graphene Darcy-Forchheimer nanofluid flow over a rotating disk. For a realistic approach, the modified Buongiorno nanofluid model that incorporates the combination of effective thermophysical properties, thermophoretic diffusion, and Brownian diffusion has been utilized. Engineering quantities like moment coefficient and pumping efficiency of the disk are also elucidated. The transmutation of the mathematically modeled nonlinear equations into a system of first-order ODEs are achieved through Von Kármán’s similarity transformations and are then resolved using the shooting technique along with the Runge–Kutta-Fehlberg algorithm. The highest heat transfer rate is experienced for smaller values of magnetic field parameter, Forchheimer number, porosity parameter, and thermal slip constraint. An increment rate of 88.14355% in the azimuthal drag coefficient and a decrement rate of 39.849732% in the radial drag coefficient are noted when the values of hydrodynamic slip constraint are augmented. Further, per unit increase in the volume fraction of graphene nanoparticles descends the moment coefficient and the entrainment velocity by 456.25501% and 12.48875%, respectively. The tidings of this numerical simulation have applications in spin coating, centrifugal filtration, medical equipment, gas turbine rotors, and thermal power generating systems.

The controlled incineration process as an alternative to handle MSW and generate electric energy in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a severe problem for cities on a global scale. Its correct management and final disposal are imperative to avoid negative impacts on society. Mexico and its constitutional states present conservative management and final disposal of MSW (low recycling and high use of open dumps). This study analyzes the technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of using a controlled incineration process in Guanajuato (Mexico) to generate electric energy and reduce the need to use landfills or open dumps for final disposal. The results indicate technical feasibility with Waste-to-Energy plants (WtE) capable of handling between 2000 and 3000 T/day, reducing CO2eq emissions by larger than 50% compared with landfills. Under the assumed parameter, economic feasibility is the main drawback since the NPV, IRR, and LCOE indicate no profitability; however, an increment in plant efficiency, a reduction in O&M cost, and a discount rate decrement led to achieving feasibility. The study introduces the Overall Decision-making Factor (ODMF) as a parameter of quantitative comparison among the proposed plants. This parameter considers each plant's main technical, environmental, and economic factors.

Opioid-sparing anesthesia with dexmedetomidine provides stable hemodynamic and short hospital stay in non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a propensity score matching cohort study

ObjectivesDexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 agonist with anti-anxiety, sedative, and analgesic effects and causes a lesser degree of respiratory depression. We hypothesized that the use of dexmedetomidine in non-intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) may reduce opioid-related complications such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), dyspnea, constipation, dizziness, skin itching, and cause minimal respiratory depression, and stable hemodynamic status.MethodsPatients who underwent non-intubated VATS lung wedge resection with propofol combined with dexmedetomidine (group D) or alfentanil (group O) between December 2016 and May 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective propensity score matching cohort study. Intraoperative vital signs, arterial blood gas data, perioperative results and treatment outcomes were analyzed.Of 100 patients included in the study (group D, 50 and group O, 50 patients), group D had a significantly lower degree of decrement in the heart rate and the blood pressure than group O. Intraoperative one-lung arterial blood gas revealed lower pH and significant ETCO2. The common opioid-related side effects, including PONV, dyspnea, constipation, dizziness, and skin itching, all of which occurred more frequently in group O than in group D. Patients in group O had significantly longer postoperative hospital stay and total hospital stay than group D, which might be due to opioid-related side effects postoperatively.ConclusionsThe application of dexmedetomidine in non-intubated VATS resulted in a significant reduction in perioperative opioid-related complications and maintenance with acceptable hemodynamic performance. These clinical outcomes found in our retrospective study may enhance patient satisfaction and shorten the hospital stay.

Biophysical insight into the anti-fibrillation potential of Glyburide for its possible implication in therapeutic intervention of amyloid associated diseases

Protein aggregation is an underlying cause of many neurodegenerative diseases. Also, the overlapping pathological disturbances between neurodegenerative diseases and type-2 diabetes mellitus have urged the scientific community to explore potential of already available anti-diabetic medications in impeding amyloid formation too. Recent study brief out promising potential of an anti-diabetic drug Glyburide(GLY) as an inhibitor of amyloid fibrillation utilizing several biophysical techniques, computational methods and imaging tools. The mechanism of interaction was elucidated and the structural alterations in human serum albumin(HSA) as well as the microenvironment changes of its fluorophores(tryptophan, tyrosine) upon interacting with GLY were studied by spectroscopic techniques like Circular dichroism and synchronous fluorescence. Binding studies detailing about the GLY-HSA complex distance and the energy transfer efficiency was obtained by Fluorescence resonance energy transfer. For aggregation inhibition studies, the existence and size of aggregates formed in HSA and their inhibition by GLY was determined by Turbidity assay, Dynamic light scattering and Rayleigh light scattering along with dye binding assays. The ThT kinetics measurements analysis suggested that GLY deaccelerates fibrillation by decrement of apparent rate(Kapp) constant. The inhibitory effect of GLY might be attributed to native structure stabilization of HSA by obstruction into β-sheet conversion as confirmed by CD spectroscopy results. Amyloid inhibition and suppression of amyloid-induced hemolysis by GLY was further delineated by TEM and SEM analysis respectively. All these findings for the first time report the new facet of the anti-amyloidogenic potential of GLY, making it a promising candidate to treat neurodegenerative diseases too in the near future.