Drop In Concentration Research Articles

Local Reaction Environment Deviations within Gas Diffusion Electrode Pores for CO2 Electrolysis

The local conditions inside a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) pore, especially in the electrical double layer (EDL) region, influence the charge transfer reactions and the selectivity of desired CO2ER products. Most GDE computational models ignore the EDL or are limited in their applicability at high potentials. In this work, we present a continuum model to describe the local environment inside a catalytic pore at varying potentials, electrolyte concentrations and pore diameters. The systems studied in this work are based on an Ag catalyst in contact with KHCO3 solution. Our study shows that steric effects dominate the local environment at high cathodic potentials (≪−25 mV vs pzc at the OHP), leading to a radial drop of CO2 concentration. We also observe a drop in pH value within 1 nm of the reaction plane due to electrostatic repulsion and attraction of OH− and H+ ions, respectively. We studied the influence of pore radii (1–10 nm) on electric field and concentrations. Pores with a radius smaller than 5 nm show a higher mean potential, which lowers the mean CO2 concentration. Pores with a favourable local environment can be designed by regulating the ratio between the pore radius and Debye length.

Dilemma and Countermeasures of Antitrust Regulation in the Field of Internet Platform Economy

Abstract This study addresses the issue of monopolies in the Internet platform economy by analyzing their causes and evaluating effective antitrust measures to maintain market fairness and encourage economic prosperity. Focusing on monopoly dynamics, including the network effect, capital influence, and market dominance, we apply evolutionary game theory and empirical analyses to devise a game theoretical model. This model helps simulate monopoly evolution and the potency of antitrust strategies. Our findings illustrate a direct correlation between monopoly growth and factors such as user base size, capital consolidation, and market control, with platforms frequently adopting monopolistic tactics for revenue maximization. Following antitrust regulatory actions, industry concentration shows a notable decrease, with metrics of total assets and net sales concentration dropping by 0.059 and 0.069, respectively. The study outlines critical regulatory strategies for enhancing market regulation, competition facilitation, and encouraging innovation. Effective antitrust enforcement is vital for optimizing market structures, spurring industry innovation, ensuring consumer welfare, and supporting the healthy progression of the Internet platform economy.

Study on the construction and filtration characteristics of a Triple-Layer granular bed filter

Granular bed filtration is a high-temperature dust removal technology with unique advantages. In this paper, through the fluidization tests, the densities and granule sizes of the triple-layer filter granules were optimally matched, and a triple-layer granular bed filter was constructed, which could be fluidized in layers and meet the requirement for removing ash deposited in the layers by fluidization without destroying the triple-layer structure. The whole-bed filtration tests at room and high temperatures showed that the triple-layer granular bed filter which consisted of cenosphere layer, desert yellow sand layer and 304 stainless steel shot layer had lower total pressure drop and outlet dust concentration, and higher filtration efficiency than the dual-layer granular bed filter which consisted of cenosphere layer and baozhu sand layer. The separated-bed filtration tests at high temperature found that the upper filter layer experienced the deep-bed, transition and surface filtration periods. The middle and lower filter layers didn’t experience the surface filtration period and the grade filtration efficiency curves were “V” shapes, with the lowest efficiency for particles around 1.3 μm.

Decomposition of PFOA in IEX regeneration wastewater: Comparison of UV/sulfur-based processes, key parameters and submicellar aggregates on degradation kinetics

The ultraviolet/sulfite (UV/S) destruction of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in seven solutions, representing ion exchange (IEX) regeneration wastes, was investigated, where Na2SO4, Na2SO3 and NaCl were the most promising regenerants in degrading PFOA. A complete degradation and 94.7 % defluorination of 10 ppm PFOA were achieved in 10 % (1.7 M) NaCl regenerant containing waste within fluence of 248 J.cm−2. Among the four investigated key parameters (pH, sulfite dose, temperature, and initial PFOA concentration), an unexpected trend was observed for the effect of PFOA initial concentration on degradation efficiency. At outset of process, higher initial PFOA concentrations led to substantial decrease in PFOA concentration, but this trend reversed as the process continued. This drop in concentration is explained based on the fast aggregation of PFOA as revealed in molecular dynamic simulations and thermodynamic calculation. The reactivity of aggregates toward eaq- was three orders of magnitude less than that of monomers. Incorporating aggregation into the kinetic model led to a noteworthy improvement in the model prediction of PFOA concentration profiles, closely aligned with the experimental data. Neglecting aggregation kinetics in models can lead to an overestimation of the required fluence for PFOA degradation, with significant cost implications for large-scale treatment system design. This study underscores the critical and often underestimated issue of PFAS aggregation and its profound implications for the effectiveness of UV/S treatment in addressing IEX regeneration wastes.

Axisymmetric stagnation-point flow of non-Newtonian nanomaterial and heat transport over a lubricated surface: Hybrid homotopy analysis method simulations

Abstract The heat transfer phenomenon associated with the lubricated surfaces offers applications in the manufacturing processes, thermal systems, industrial systems, and engineering phenomenon. It is a well-established fact that improvement in heat transfer is recently successfully claimed with the interaction of nanoparticles. Following such motivation in mind, the prime objective of current continuation is to perform the prediction of heat transfer in second-grade material subject to the lubricated surface. The lubricants are filled with non-Newtonian power law material. The varying thickness of the thin lubricating layer permits an imperfect slip surface. The second-grade fluid interfaces with the boundary condition. The modified semi-analytical tool termed as hybrid homotopy scheme is used to perform the simulations. Shooting and homotopy methods are combined in this new approach. Relevant effects of parameters on physical phenomenon are explained. The importance of influencing parameters in relation to the velocity field, temperature, and concentration profiles is investigated graphically. It is claimed that analytical computations existed for shear thinning case. It is observed that there is a noticeable drop in concentration and thermal profiles due to the variation of viscoelastic parameter. The control of free stream velocity is claimed due to the interaction of slip parameters.

Evaluation of the Air Pollutant Standard Index (ISPU) parameter concentration limits in industrial estates on Java Island

Due to the harmful effects of air pollution on health, outdoor air pollution standards are getting stricter. Because of environmental changes, the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 14/2020 must reevaluate the concentration limits for ISPU parameters. This study aimed to examine the concentration ranges and ISPU values for SO2, NO2, CO, O3, and PM10 in industrial estates on Java Island, and set concentration limits for five relevant ISPU parameters based on the results of monitoring, sampling, and toxicity studies. A drop in the average concentration of the five ISPU parameters in 2022 compared to monitoring from 2015 to 2019 shows that the air quality in industrial estates on Java Island is improving. The ISPU values between 10 and 56 are in the good-to-moderate range, which means that the air quality is still good enough for the health of humans, animals, and plants. The relevant concentration limit recommendations for ISPU in good-to-moderate categories for SO2, NO2, CO, O3, and PM10 were 42–77 μg/Nm3, 29–120 μg/Nm3, 3519–5037 μg/Nm3, 33–97 μg/Nm3, and 29–82 μg/Nm3, respectively. The results of this study can be used to improve Indonesia’s ambient air quality index system (ISPU).

Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles and Almond Aqueous Extract on Experimental Animals

The impact to feeding almond extract part of its physiological activity of glucose, blood lipid profile, liver enzymes, and immunoglobulins in the serum of hypercholesterolemic male rats was studied. It was given orally by tube feeding. Adult rats, aged (8-12) weeks and weighing (200-220) gm, were Unidentifiedly sorted into six groups, each containing six animals, which is the control group, the group infected with hypercholesterolemia and treated with soft cheese, and three groups infected and treated with almond extract. Among the most important results obtained is that the infection of the animals with hypercholesterolemia led to a significant increase to concentrations Bloodۃsugar, TC, TG, LDL, with liver enzymes on the other hand, while it leads to a greater drop in concentrations to HDL-C, while at results indicated a Eloquent decline (p>0.05) in blood sugar values, TG, TC, ALP, ALT, AST, LDL-C, and a significant increase in HDL concentrations for the treated flocks. with almond extract & soft cheese when measured with the standard set

Analysis of second grade nanofluid flow confined by lubricated disk with bioconvection

Thermal mechanism of non-Newtonian nanofluid coated by lubricated power law material has been theoretically worked out. The slip interaction constraints have been proposed for inspecting the thermal transport. The concept of microorganism is utilized to achieve the stabilization of the suspension of nanoparticles. The rheological constraints of nonlinear model are observed by second grade fluid. The flow phenomenon is governed by stagnation point flow. The second-grade (SG) axisymmetric bio-convective nanofluid flow across a moving surface is considered. The flow equations are simplified by the implementation of compatible similarity transformations. The resulting system is solved numerically and analytically by using a hybrid homotopy technique. With the use of a graph and tabular data, the importance of influencing parameters in relation to the velocity field, motile density microorganism’s, temperature and concentration profiles is investigated. The thermal profile is observed to be lowering with higher Prandtl number values. There is a noticeable drop in concentration and thermal profiles against higher viscoelastic parameter values. The microorganism profile is lower in the presence of bio-convected Lewis number. Moving from Newtonian fluid to non-Newtonian fluid, a decrease in motile organism and Nusselt number.

Assessing Low-Concentration Atropine in Myopia Progression: A Systematic Review

Objective: Low-concentration atropine (LCA) eye drop is used as a promising treatment for the management of myopia but its effectiveness has not been widely evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the efficacy of LCA eye drop for myopia progression. Materials and Methods: This review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and a comprehensive literature search was performed on 3 online databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and ProQuest. The keywords used included ‘Low-concentration atropine eye drop’, ‘Atropine’, ‘Eye Drop’, ‘Myopia’, and their Mesh. All studies included were available in English and full-text format. Myopia progression rates were analyzed from all studies, and Rayyan, an online-based tool was used in the screening process. Results: The results showed that 3 randomized control trials (RCT), 2 cohort studies, and 3 case reports with a total of 1389 participants were analyzed. The majority studies were conducted in Asia, while one RCT was performed in Australia. The participants ranged from 4-12 years old, while atropine eye drop concentrations used were 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.125%, and 0.2%. All studies showed a slower progression rate of myopia in the atropine group compared to the control (-0.31 D vs. -0.90 D; -0.05 D vs. -1.05 D; -0.27 D vs. -0.81 D; -0.28 D vs. -0.54 D; -0.36 D vs. -0.90 D;−0.31 D vs. −0.76 D; -0.31 vs. -0.53 D; -0.38 D vs. -0.55 D) with P < 0.05. Conclusion: LCA eye drop showed promising effects in slowing myopia progression. However, further investigation is needed, particularly in non-Asian countries.

Effects of Periodic Fluctuation of Water Level on Solute Transport in Seasonal Lakes in Poyang Floodplain System

AbstractSeasonal lakes appear in floodplain systems due to the seasonal variation of water level of rivers or main lakes and play an important ecological function. Previous studies have focused on exchange flux between the surface water and groundwater in seasonal lakes, but the process of solute transport at the sediment‐water interface under the effect of seasonal water level fluctuations remains unclear. In this study, laboratory flume experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to investigate non‐reactive solute transport and exchange in a seasonal lake under effects of hydrological connectivity, water level amplitude, sediment permeability and solute source. The results show that the recharge pattern between seasonal lakes and rivers or main lakes is determined by the seasonal water level. The solute transports from the groundwater of seasonal lakes to the main lake during the dry season, while the reverse applies during the wet season. The perennial hydrological isolation increases the concentration in the overlying water and pore water of the seasonal lake by 20.5% and 28.7%, respectively. The solute concentration in the overlying water and pore water of the seasonal lake decreases by 55.2% and 51.5%, respectively, when solute source occurs in the main lake compared with that occurs in the seasonal lake. The amplification of water level amplitudes leads to an increase of 6.46% and 10.55% in the solute concentration drop from the overlying water, respectively. These findings contribute to improving water resource utilization and protecting aquatic ecological environment in floodplain systems.

Mineralogical studies of tertiary shales from k-well Akiri field, Niger delta

Shale cuttings from the K-Well (Akiri) in the Niger Delta have been analysed for their mineralogical and geochemical compositions. Analysis of the 2m portion from the 2183, to 3,720m stratigraphic period was performed using X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OES), and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Many types of clay minerals exist, although kaolinite and chlorite predominate. From 3250-3720m in altitude, the illite/smectite composition shifts from a phase with 32% illite layers to a phase with 82% illite layers. Shallow shales had a drop in kaolinite concentration (from 22-16%) whereas deep shales saw a decline (from 29-22%). Unlike chlorite and feldspar, whose abundance do not rise with depth, but quartz does. In all samples, calcite may be found in minute quantities. In this case, the pore water is the source of the potassium. Total organic carbon (TOC) readings obtained from the shale samples demonstrate a high concentration of organic matter in the rock.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene)/mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride composite membranes for photocatalytic methylene blue degradation and sensing applications

AbstractIn this work, poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP)/mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg‐C3N4) composite fiber web have been prepared and characterized for photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation and sensing applications. The electrospinning technique, operating at a flow rate of 1 mL/h and a voltage of 15 kV, was utilized to prepare the composite membranes of PVDF‐HFP with the uniform distribution of the mpg‐C3N4. The composite web demonstrated outstanding photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB, reaching a quick 68% drop in MB concentration in just 45 min. The composite web furthermore worked as a sensor for MB detection. After MB exposure, the film resistance was increased, suggesting its potential as a chemiresistive sensor. The maximum resistivity of PVDF‐HFP/mpg‐C3N4 composites was found to be 90 Ω·m at 2% concentration of MB. The MB molecules' adsorption on the surface of the composite web and the existence of photocatalytic byproducts on the surface may be responsible for this shift in resistance. This dual functionality highlights the adaptability and potential of the PVDF‐HFP/mpg‐C3N4 composite web as a versatile material for environmental sensing and cleanup. This research presents a comprehensive approach to the synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of such flexible membranes for potential applications as self‐cleaning devices and chemiresistive sensor.Highlights PVDF‐HFP/mpg‐C3N4 composite membranes act as an efficient material for MB degradation (68%) with visible light exposure. mpg‐C3N4 plays the role of active material in degradation. PVDF‐HFP/mpg‐C3N4 composite membrane also act as sensors for MB detection. Composite membrane becomes chemiresistive due to notable resistivity changes with MB concentration.

Eulerian investigation of the mechanism of Ultra-low NOx emissions from CFB boilers with finer bed material

Industrial practice has confirmed that decreasing the bed material size substantially diminishes nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in coal-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers. This reduction allows for compliance with the stringent ultra-low emissions standard (NOx < 50 mg/Nm3@6%O₂, dry) proposed by the Chinese government, all without the need for supplementary denitrification devices. Consequently, it becomes essential to delve into the mechanisms through which particle size, as a gas–solid flow characteristic, directly affects the chemical reaction dynamics within the coal combustion process. Due to the difficulty of field tests, this paper employs the Eulerian-Eulerian numerical method suitable for wide particle size distributions to investigate the impact of bed material particle size on gas–solid flow and NOx concentration. Furthermore, the generalized QC-EMMS drag model is utilized to predict the heterogeneous flow across varying particle size conditions. Industrial test data validated the simulation accuracy, with prediction errors of bed pressure drop, temperature, and NOx emission concentration ranging from 5 % to 8.1 %. The analysis revealed that the particle concentration distribution heterogeneity decreases as the particle size diminishes. The variation trends of NOx with particle size exhibit distinct differences between the lower dense phase region and the upper dilute phase region within the bed. For finer bed material particles, the high NOx concentration generated in the dense phase region experiences a more thorough reduction in the dilute phase region. Through the analysis of material concentration and reaction rate, it is believed that this phenomenon is related to the increased catalytic effect of fine ash particles in the dilute phase region, that is, the reduction in particle size leads to an increase in catalytic specific surface area, enhancing NOx reduction, thus achieving ultra-low emissions at the outlet. These research results provide theoretical support for further development of ultra-low emission coal-fired CFB boilers.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Dark Chocolate as Age-appropriate Oral Matrix

Swallowing difficulties encountered by geriatric patients who undergo polypharmacy represent a significant challenge that hampers patient compliance and therapeutic management. As an appealing and sensory-pleasing, chocolate-based formulations have emerged as a potential alternative oral dosage form suitable for both the elderly and paediatric populations. However, the extent to which the incorporation of drugs into a chocolate matrix affects their oral availability remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to explore the in vitro and in vivo performance of an ibuprofen-based chocolate dosage form. A matrix based on dark chocolate and the model drug was prepared at two distinct temperatures: 50 and 80 °C. In vitro release studies revealed that ibuprofen formulated through co-melting at 80 °C exhibited a statistically significant slower drug release (p < 0.05) compared to formulations prepared at 50 °C in both FaSSGF (fasted-state simulated gastric fluid) and lipolysis media. The enzymatic degradation of chocolate in the presence of lipase accelerated in vitro ibuprofen release from chocolate matrices. To delve deeper into the bioavailability of ibuprofen within the chocolate formulations, we conducted an in vivo assessment, comparing the pharmacokinetic profiles of ibuprofen in its conventional suspension form with our chocolate-based dosage forms. A notable drop (p < 0.05) in the maximum serum concentration of ibuprofen when incorporated into co-melted or solid-suspension chocolate matrices. However, no significant differences in plasma exposure were observed between the two formulations. These findings shed a light on the potential of chocolate to extend of ibuprofen when integrated into various chocolate matrices, showcasing the potential held by these innovative formulations.

Consistent response to topographical variation in net assimilation rate across the central Himalayan broadleaved forests

In a mountainous landscape, vegetation patterns are influenced by the interaction of slope aspect and topographical positions. Here, we have examined the effect of two contrasting aspects (North and South) and three slope positions (Hill Base, Mid Slope and Hill Top) on net assimilation rate (NAR) of trees across four forest sites of the monsoonal Central Himalaya between 400 and 2300 m elevations. The study species, namely Shorea robusta, Quercus leucotrichophora, and Q. floribunda were broadleaved evergreen with concentrated summer leaf drop and simultaneous leafing. The NAR of these broadleaved species was measured in five seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring) diurnally at their respective forest sites. In each of the forest site the dominant species was the same, on both aspects and the three slope positions. We also analyzed topographical associated effect of tree water relations on NAR, using the data of an earlier study on these species. The average NAR (μ mol m−2 s−1) across the four forest sites and five seasons, (measured diurnally) was higher on the north (5.08 ± 0.23) slope aspect than south aspect (4.61 ± 0.22; average of 120 NAR values for each aspect), and among the three slope positions, it was higher on hill base (5.13 ± 0.29), than on mid-slope (4.80 ± 0.27) and hill top (4.61 ± 0.26; average of 80 NAR values for each position). These patterns in NAR values in relation to slope aspects and slope positions were also found separately for each of the species, and each of the seasons. The NAR varied across the sites, seasons and day time from 2.84 to 11.99 μ mol m−2 s−1, largely because of the variation in tree water potential and leaf phenological changes. To conclude, the NAR shows a consistency in responses to differences in slope aspects and slope positions across the forests ranging from tropical to warm temperate type. The study would help generalizing topographical effects on tree growth.

Effect of Different Fertilizer Types on the Availability of Manganese in Soil Cultivated with Maize (Zea mays L.) During Different Growth Periods

The research aimed to determine the availability of manganese in the rhizosphere of maize plants at various growth and development stages. The treatments of the field trial were: nitrogen fertilizer, urea type, 400 and 200 kg hectare-1, humic acid 500 and 250 cm liter-1 per dunum, and organic fertilization (sheep manure) were applied at rates of 8 and 4 ton hectare-1 reflecting the recommended doses and half of the recommendation in addition to the control treatment. In the summer of 2022, a field experiment was conducted. Three replications were used according to the Randomized Complete Block design (R.C.B.D.). The local maize variety was seeded in 9 m2 (3m x 3m) in plots. After 70 and 100 days of planting, the concentration of manganese in the rhizosphere and bulk soil were examined. For the two cultivation periods (70 and 100 days), the levels of accessible manganese to plant were greatest with the O1 treatment and lowest with the M2 treatment in the rhizosphere soil and bulk soils. The data also revealed a drop in the accessible manganese concentration in the soil and outside the rhizosphere as the growth time (100 days) increased, indicating increased plant absorption.

Aminoethoxyvinylglycine Reduces Preharvest Fruit Drop and Fruit Ethylene Evolution in ‘Red Delicious’ Apple but Affects Fruit Size and Quality Inconsistently

Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) is widely used in commercial apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) production to reduce preharvest fruit drop (PFD) and delay ripening for harvest management. Recently, the maximum allowable concentration of AVG was doubled (up to 264 mg⋅L−1). Reports of the relationship between the AVG concentration and fruit growth, size, and quality have been contradictory. We evaluated the relationship between the AVG concentration and PFD, fruit size, fruit quality, and expression of ethylene signaling-related and cell wall modification-related genes. Experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 using mature ‘Red Delicious’ in western North Carolina. The AVG treatments [0 and 132 (AVG-1x) and 264 mg⋅L−1 (AVG-2x)] were applied 3 weeks before the expected harvest. The AVG treatments reduced fruit drop and internal ethylene concentration relative to the control in both years. There was no difference in drop between AVG-1x and AVG-2x applications. Only in 2020 did AVG treatments delay fruit softening and starch hydrolysis and reduce soluble solids concentration. There were no effects on red fruit color development. Fruit size was unaffected by AVG in 2019, but it was reduced in 2020 with the AVG-2x application. AVG reduced ethylene synthesis and altered signaling, evidenced by decreased relative expression of genes related to ethylene signaling (ARGOS1, ARGOS2). AVG applications also reduced the expression of EXPA8;1, suggesting that reduced cell wall disassembly was associated with a reduction in fruit softening. These results indicate that preharvest applications of 132 mg⋅L−1 AVG effectively reduced PFD via altering ethylene evolution and signaling. Use of a higher AVG concentration was of limited benefit.

89 Performance and Usability of a Remote App-Based Assessment of Cognition Among Older Adult Mobile Game Players and Non-Players

Objective:Mobile, valid, and engaging cognitive assessments are essential for detecting and tracking change in research participants and patients at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRDs). The mobile cognitive app performance platform (mCAPP) includes memory and executive functioning tasks to remotely detect cognitive changes associated with aging and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. This study assesses participants’ comfort and subjective experiences with mCAPP as the potential utility and advantage of mobile app-based assessments for remote monitoring among older adults will depend upon usability and adoptability of such technology.Participants and Methods:The mCAPP includes three gamified tasks: (1) a memory task involving learning and matching hidden card pairs (“Concentration”) (2) a stroop-like task (“Brick Drop”), and (3) a digit-symbol coding-like task (“Space Imposters”). Participants included 37 older adults (60% female; age=72±4.4; years of education=17±2.5; 67% White) with normal cognition enrolled in the Penn ADRC cohort. Participants completed one baseline session of mCAPP in-person, followed by two weeks of at-home use with eight scheduled sessions. Information on prior experience with mobile technology and games was collected, and usability of mCAPP was measured at baseline and after 2-weeks of use with the IBM Computer Usability Satisfaction Questionnaire and the mHeath App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) respectively. Feedback on perceived difficulty, enjoyment, and likelihood to play mCAPP games again on their own was collected.Results:Participants completed on average 11±4.9 sessions over 2 weeks, with each session lasting 11.5±2.5 minutes. 59% of participants reported using their mobile device to play games (“mobile game players”). Performance on mCAPP tasks was slower at baseline for non-players, with trend-level differences on higher-load blocks of Space Imposters (p=.057 and .059). No differences in game performance were seen between groups after playing 8 sessions at-home. There were no differences in usability of mCAPP between groups, with average usability 8.2±1.5 (IBM, 0-9 scale) at T1 and 6.2±0.8 (MAUQ, 1-7 scale) after completion of two weeks of at-home use (TLast). Reported enjoyment was moderate to high for both groups at baseline and increased over time. Likelihood to play Concentration and Brick Drop again trended lower among nonplayers at T1 (p=.061 and .054), but not at TLast. Further, change in likelihood to play mCAPP from T1 to TLast was positive among non-players, with change for Concentration significantly higher for non-players than for players (p=.037).Conclusions:Participants were willing and able to complete at-home cognitive testing and most completed more than the assigned sessions. While participants who do not play games on their own mobile device were slower on some tasks at baseline, these differences dissipated with further play at-home. Usability and enjoyment of mCAPP games were high regardless of mobile game-playing status, and non-players demonstrated increased willingness to play mCAPP games again at the end of participation compared to baseline. This pilot study shows preliminary feasibility and adoptability of mobile app-based assessment regardless of prior experience with mobile games.

Effect of a Conical Extension on Aerosol Sedimentation in the Case of Acoustic Small-Amplitude Oscillations in a Tube

The effect of acoustic low-intensity oscillations in a homogeneous tube and in a tube with a conical extension is experimentally investigated for the same resonator volumes. The resonator shape is shown to have an effect on the oscillation spectrum and intensity and the pressure wave shape at constant values of the resonance frequency and the piston displacement amplitude. An increase in the resonator Q-factor is observable, when the resonator has a conical extension. An accelerated aerosol sedimentation in tubes is revealed in the case of acoustic oscillation with the resonance frequency. In the presence of a conical extension the aerosol drop concentration is reduced by a factor of 1.2 more rapidly than in the case of a uniform tube and three times more rapidly as compared with natural sedimentation. The results obtained can be used for increasing the efficiency of acoustic methods of gas purification from the disperse phase

Recommendations for improving the experimental protocol for the determination of photocatalytic activity by nitric oxide oxidation measurements.

The photocatalytic nitric oxide (NO) oxidation reaction is used as a standard diagnostic tool for photocatalytic activity according to the well-defined protocol described by ISO Standard 22197-1-2007. This protocol identifies the negative peak showing a NOx concentration drop during a gas flow switch from the calibration bypass to the reactor as adsorption of NOx on the surface. Evidence is provided for this first transient to be due to a dilution effect in the gas phase within the reactor. With proper models of residence time distribution analysis, this transient revealed the internal hydrodynamics and it can be used to determine the internal volumes of the system. The second transient occurs immediately after the light is switched on. The conversions strongly depend on the time constant of this transient. Controlled measurements of the effect of illumination intensity revealed that at higher light intensities the transient takes longer to reach steady state. The longer transient was attributed to the time needed to reach a thermal steady state of the hot spots generated by the recombination of excess charge carriers. When the catalyst amount was investigated as a parameter, a saturation effect was observed. This saturation effect was correlated with the gas phase concentrations of NOx and moisture and their ratios to the available specific surface area. Hence, additional constraints with respect to the illumination intensity and catalyst amounts are recommended for accurate measurements of photocatalytic activity by NO oxidation.