Experimental Procedure Research Articles

Methodology for comparative assessment of battery technologies: Experimental design, modeling, performance indicators and validation with four technologies

An increasing number of applications with diverse requirements incorporate various battery technologies. Selecting the most suitable battery technology becomes a tedious task as several aspects need to be taken into account. Two of the key aspects are the battery characteristics under temperature variations and their degradation. While numerous contributions using tailored assessment methods to evaluate both aspects for a particular application exist in the literature, a general methodology for analysis is necessary to enable a quantitative comparison between different technologies. We propose in this paper a novel methodology, based on performance indicators, to quantify the potential and limitations of a battery technology for diverse applications sharing a similar operational profile. A quantification of phenomena such as the influence of high and low temperatures on the battery, or the effect of cycling and state of charge on battery aging is obtained. In pursuit of these indicators, an experimental procedure and the fitting of aging model parameters that allow their calculation are proposed. As an additional outcome of this work, a general aging model that allows comprehensive analysis of aging behavior is developed and the trade-off between experimental time and accuracy is analyzed to find an optimal experimental time between 2 and 4 months, depending on the studied battery technology. Finally, the proposed methodology is applied to four battery technologies in order to show its potential in a real case-study.

Design of dual peak star shaped metamaterial absorber for S and C band sensing applications

This paper presents the detailed design configuration and investigation of a small-scale dual-band metamaterial absorber (MTMA) for solid and liquid sensing applications. The overall dimension of the MTMA unit cell is 10 × 10 × 1.57 mm3 and constitutes an affordable FR-4 substrate. The absorber exhibits dual absorption peaks at 3.470 GHz for the S-band and 7.219 GHz for the C-band, respectively. Both absorption characteristics have been validated through comprehensive simulation and experimental procedures. The dual-band absorption rate exceeded 99% during simulations, and experimental validation showed an absorption rate above 98%. For sensing applications, various solid materials, including different Rogers substrates ( RT 5880, RT 5870, RT 4003 and RT 4835) and liquids such as sunflower and crown oil, were utilized. Our findings indicate that the proposed MTMA achieves a maximum Q-factor of 191 and a sensitivity of up to 2.5 for both solid and liquid sensing applications compared to previous studies. The simulation and experimental validation of the result indicate that suggested MTMA can be effectively used in different sensing applications such as the medical and communications industry.

A multiple biomolecules-based rapid life detection protocol embedded in a rover scientific subsystem for soil sample analysis

The study of whether life exists, is extinct, or not depends on various sophisticated experimental studies, as many different signatures of life can be used. The experimental procedures that can be performed to identify life can be further restricted by time, resources, and mobility constraints. Therefore, any research analyzing the presence of extraterrestrial life must be precise and unambiguous. This research focuses on the objective of the extraterrestrial life detection domain and seeks to provide an efficient protocol that can produce life detection decisions based on empirical data obtained through chemical analysis under time and resource-constrained conditions. While the majority of existing frameworks in this field are designed to identify biomolecules, our goal is to accomplish the same with minimal operational expense and mission complexity. We argue that the thoughtful integration of multiple biomolecular detections with lesser complexity and a robust framework can improve overall mission performance by satisfying the necessary time and resource constraints. In this study, a rapid multiple biomolecules-based life detection protocol (MBLDP-R) from soil samples is developed from scratch and embedded in an operational scientific rover subsystem targeted for planetary analysis missions. The study uses artificial biomolecule samples and simulated extraterrestrial environments to illustrate the suggested protocol’s end-to-end process. First, we list a few significant biomolecules, including lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, ammonia, and pigments. Then, a weighted qualitative test scoring is applied to sort out the best test method for the finally selected biomolecules which are used as operational analogue to showcase the protocol’s in-situ analysis and decision-making capabilities. Based on the suitable biomolecules, a scientific exploration subsystem is developed, and the implemented protocol is built to perform onboard sample analysis. Evaluation results show that: (1) the proposed MBLDP-R protocol could effectively predict the classes with an average f1-score of 98.65% (macro) and 90.00% (micro), (2) the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUC-ROC) curve shows the sample categories to be correctly predicted 92% of the time (97% for Extant, 88% for Extinct, and 92% in the case of NPL), and (3) the protocol is time-efficient with an average completion time of 17.60 min, demonstrating the protocol’s rapid nature in detecting biosignatures in soil samples. The research outcome yields useful additional data for related future studies, particularly in the design of scientific frameworks for mission-specific requirements with limited resources while also serving as a reference point for constraint evaluation methods for similar systems.

Efficacy of anesthetics in an echinoderm based on multifaceted stress biomarkers

Animal care committees remain ambiguous on the need for anesthetics during experimental procedures on invertebrate taxa due to long-standing questioning of their sentience and pain perception. When used, anesthetizing procedures for invertebrates have commonly been adapted from those developed for vertebrates, under the largely unverified assumption that they afford the same benefits. The present study formally tested the efficacy of four common anesthetics of aquatic invertebrates (ethanol, MgCl2, clove oil, MS-222) using behavioural (reaction to physical contact and presence of a predator), physiological (respiration rate), cellular (coelomocytes), and hormonal (cortisol) biomarkers in the holothuroid Cucumaria frondosa (Echinodermata). While subjects recovered from exposures to all anesthetics tested, their responses differed markedly. Ethanol did not immobilize the individuals and concurrently increased their respiration rate, and cellular and hormonal stress markers. MgCl2 and clove oil reduced the behavioural and physiological responses, and decreased the cellular markers, but increased the cortisol levels. Only MS-222 fully immobilized the treated individuals and decreased their respiration rate, both during exposure and throughout ulterior interactions with a predator, while keeping coelomocyte counts and cortisol concentrations at baseline levels. MS-222 thus appears to induce the loss of sensation, representing a promising anesthetic and sedative in soft-bodied aquatic invertebrates.

Kinetic models for the methanation of COx gases to produce methane: A critical analysis

An exhaustive review of the available literature regarding the kinetic models for the methanation of COx gases to produce natural gas (CH4) is reported. Since the oldest and recent reported kinetic studies about this topic were discussed and analyzed. The characteristics of the experimental studies such as the reaction system, operating conditions, catalyst used, and the experimental procedure, as well as the derived reaction rate equations, reaction rate coefficients and activation energies are highlighted. The results of the various kinetic models are also discussed in order to identify appropriate approaches that can be used as reference to develop new kinetic models. Most of the works reported values of reaction order of 0.2–1 and activation energies of 75–110 kJ/mol in a temperature range of 220–450 °C. Average absolute error (ε) values were calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the predicted data, which resulted to be in the range of 0.15 %–8.08 % showing generally a good agreement.

Development of a Novel Airway-Exchange Broncholaryngoscope.

The purpose of this project was to develop a novel airway-exchange broncholaryngoscope (AEBLScope) to improve the efficiency and accuracy of airway-exchange procedures. The AEBLScope was designed to combine a bronchoscope and airway-exchange catheter (AEC) into a single device and to reduce the blind placement of AECs. The prototype was constructed by modifying an existing distal-chip bronchoscope. A custom AEC was procured to fit concentrically over the flexible portion of the scope. The catheter was connected to the scope handpiece by a customized push-pull locking attachment. The AEBLScope was used to perform airway-exchange procedures with both tracheostomy and endotracheal tubes using two different airway models. Experimental procedures were recorded with still photography to evaluate the exchange of tubes and placement of AECs. In two airway models using the AEBLScope, both tracheostomy and endotracheal tubes were successfully exchanged on first-pass attempt, and AECs were accurately placed under visual guidance. The AEBLScope combines a bronchoscope and AEC into a single tool. Based on these first results, this novel scope has the potential to perform airway-exchange procedures more safely compared with standard procedures by increasing the accuracy of placement, decreasing procedural time, and reducing the morbidity and mortality that can occur from blind placement of AECs. NA Laryngoscope, 134:4488-4493, 2024.

Proteomics Can Rise to the Challenge of Pseudogenes' Coding Nature.

Throughout the past decade, technological advances in genomics and transcriptomics have revealed pervasive translation throughout mammalian genomes. These putative proteins are usually excluded from proteomics analyses, as they are absent from common protein repositories. A sizable portion of these noncanonical proteins is translated from pseudogenes. Pseudogenes are commonly termed defective copies of coding genes unable to produce proteins. Here, we suggest that proteomics can help in their annotation. First, we define important terms and review specific examples underlining the caveats in pseudogene annotation and their coding potential. Then, we will discuss the challenges inherent to pseudogenes that have thus far rendered complex their confidence in omics data. Finally, we identify recent developments in experimental procedures, instrumentation, and computational methods in proteomics that put the field in a unique position to solve the pseudogene annotation conundrum.

A novel approach for microbial activity assessment in bioleaching. Towards to a standardised fast starting up protocol

Biohydrometallurgy is a proven industrial method for extracting base metals from sulfidic ores with low-grade content and as a pre-treatment of Au ores. The lack of study of biological aspects related with microbial activity assessment makes it difficult to control and monitor these processes; and the multitude of experimental procedures described in the literature hinders cross-study comparisons among researchers. Experimental tools that allow a quick and reliable quantitative assessment of the iron oxidising capacity of the cells during the bioleaching process are needed. This work proposes monitoring microbial activity through a simple and reliable method based on the offline measurement of the Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR). The methodology allows to quantify the microbial activity evolution of a growing culture under no-limiting conditions. By this methodology, the maximum potential bioleaching rate of the culture at any time is determined, assessing the occurrence of a biological or chemical limitation. The results obtained reveals that whether due to Fe2+ or O2 depletion, substrate availability significantly limits microbial activity. This aspect is key to assess a culture suitability for bioleaching bioreactor inoculation, preventing long lag phases. Furthermore, the methodology allows for quick disturbances correction, avoiding process shutdowns and enhances technological reliability of continuous bioleaching.

Antibacterial Activity Test of Ethanol Extract of Torch Ginger Flowers (Etlingera elatior) Against Streptococcus Pyogenes Bacteria Causing Pharyngitis Disease in Vitro

Background: In Indonesia, practically everyone has experienced pharyngitis, an illness with a relatively high prevalence. Coughing, sore throat, and trouble swallowing are all symptoms of pharyngitis. According to the WHO, pharyngitis can be caused by a range of species, with viral and bacterial infections being the most prevalent. The goal was to investigate the antibacterial activity of kecombrang flower extract in an ethanol solvent against microorganisms that cause pharyngitis, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. Methodology: This study was conducted utilizing laboratory experimental procedures. Bacteria were cultivated on nutrient agar media, and 70% ethanol was used to extract kecombrang blossoms. The test was conducted out using the diffusion method, which involved soaking paper discs in a solution of kecombrang flower extract at concentrations of 20%, 40%, and 60% before placing them in NA media. As a positive control, amoxicillin was utilized. The incubation procedure took 24 hours and was carried out at 370 degrees Celsius. Three inhibitory zone measurements were performed on each extract and positive control. Results: This experiment revealed that the inhibition zone generated by kecombrang flower extract as an antibacterial was an average of 9 mm at a concentration of 20%, 11.6 mm at a concentration of 40%, 12.8 mm at a concentration of 60%, and 14.8 mm at the positive control, 100 mg amoxicillin tablets. Conclusion: The results show that kecombrang flower extract has antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium and is considered strong. The best ethanol extract of kecombrang flowers is at a concentration of 60%. Statistical analysis using One Way Annova revealed significant differences between treatments (p<0.05). To confirm, a Post Hoc Tukey (HSD) test was used.

Reliable longitudinal electrical conductivity characterisation of unidirectional CFRP tapes

Induction welding is a promising assembly method for carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites. In this process, an alternating electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in a composite susceptor. Accurate determination of the electrical conductivity of the carbon fibre network is essential for the development of physics-based simulations of the process. This work focuses on characterisation of the longitudinal electrical conductivity of unidirectionally reinforced paek using the six-probe method. Special attention is given to validating the boundary conditions and assumptions underlying the experimental procedure. The experimental results show that the longitudinal electrical conductivity consistently adheres to the rule of mixtures; nevertheless, achieving this finding proves sensitive to the care put into the procedural execution. Additionally, the study provides a valuable dataset for various commercially available tapes relevant to the aerospace industry.

A cost-effective protocol for single-cell RNA sequencing of human skin.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and flow cytometry studies in skin are methodologically complex and costly, limiting their accessibility to researchers worldwide. Ideally, RNA and protein-based analyses should be performed on the same lesion to obtain more comprehensive data. However, current protocols generally focus on either scRNAseq or flow cytometry of healthy skin. We present a novel label-free sample multiplexing strategy, building on the souporcell algorithm, which enables scRNAseq analysis of paired blood and skin samples. Additionally, we provide detailed instructions for simultaneous flow cytometry analysis from the same sample, with necessary adaptations for both healthy and inflamed skin specimens. This tissue multiplexing strategy mitigates technical batch effects and reduces costs by 2-4 times compared to existing protocols. We also demonstrate the effects of varying enzymatic incubation durations (1, 3, and 16 hours, with and without enzyme P) on flow cytometry outcomes. Comprehensive explanations of bioinformatic demultiplexing steps and a detailed step-by-step protocol of the entire experimental procedure are included. The protocol outlined in this article will make scRNAseq and flow cytometry analysis of skin samples more accessible to researchers, especially those new to these techniques.

Experimental and Statistical Analysis of Iron Powder for Green Heat Production

In the current investigation, a novel methodology was employed to assess iron powder as a recyclable and sustainable energy carrier. Concurrently, an examination of the modeling of iron powder ignition and the ensuing heat output from the burner was undertaken. The flame temperature was determined by examining the light intensity emitted by the particles as they melted, which is directly related to the particle’s cross-sectional area. An account of the characterization of the experimental procedure, validation, and calibration is presented. Through measurements, distinct one-to-one correlations have been established between the scales of flame combustion and the temperatures of particles of varying sizes of iron. Additionally, a theoretical model for the combustion of expanding particles, particularly iron, within the diffusion-limited regime has been rigorously developed. This model delves into the spectra acquired from particle flames within the burner, utilizing Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This study investigates the use of optical fiber spectroscopy to predict flame temperature and assess iron powder size. The aim was to investigate how different sizes of iron powder affect flame temperature and to create calibration models for non-destructive prediction. The study shows that smaller particles had an average temperature of 1381 °C while larger particles reach up to 1842 °C, demonstrating the significant impact of particle size on combustion efficiency. The results were confirmed using advanced statistical methods, including PLSR and PCA, with PCA effectively differentiating between particle sizes and PLSR achieving an R2 value of 0.90 for the 30 µm particles.

An Expedient Approach for the Regioselective Synthesis of Fully Functionalized and Highly Substituted N‐Methyl‐1,4‐Dihydropyridines Using an Ionic Liquid Catalyst

AbstractA facile and highly efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of extensively functionalized, fully substituted N‐methyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines. This approach is a one‐pot pseudo‐three‐constituent cyclo‐condensation of aromatic aldehydes with (E)‐N‐methyl‐1‐(methylthio)‐2‐nitroethenamine (NMSM). This reaction presumably entails the Knoevenagel reaction followed by Michael addition and regioselective N‐cyclization with removing methanethiol and producing two C─C bonds and one C─N bond. The key advantages of this strategy include an optimized reaction time, achieving moderate to excellent yields, a straightforward experimental procedure, and the use of the ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate [(EMIM)Ac] as the catalyst. The resulting derivatives were well characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS.

Influence of explosive type and constant γ in Mott’s stochastic model on terminal-ballistics parameters of high-explosive warheads using numerical simulations

The research examined the use of numerical simulations for high-explosive (HE) munitions. Lagrange and Euler solvers from Ansys Autodyn, whose brief theoretical synopsis is given, were utilized. Numerical program modeling of materials under dynamic loads (explosives and solid bodies) is also explained. The study also provides a brief summary of relevant research works that address numerical simulations of the fragmentation of HE projectiles (warheads). First, using data from other authors, the numerical model in this paper was effectively validated. The original research in the publication included an evaluation of the influence of explosive type on mass distribution, as well as velocity and the kinetic energy of fragments on cylindrical warheads, along with some recommendations and findings. Results show that ordered by values of initial fragment velocity are explosives: Trinitrotoluen (TNT), H6, Comp. B, Octol, PBX-9404-3, and LX-10-1. Explosives LX-10-1 and PBX-9404-3 showed similar performance because both explosives are HMX-based mixtures, with LX-10-1 having 0.5% more Octogen (HMX). The greatest (fastest) expansion of fragments (for the given time frame of 150 µs) is present in the most potent explosives (LX-10-1 and PBX-9404-3) since they have the largest detonation velocities. In the configurations with stronger explosives (Octol, LX-10-1, PBX-9404-3), the front and rear cover of the cylinder is more fragmented than in the case of weaker explosives. The highest number of fragments is obtained with PBX-9404-3 explosive, 142% higher than using TNT charge. Also, as part of the original research in the paper, an assessment of the influence of the constant γ in Mott’s stochastic fragmentation model on the mass distribution of fragments and their kinetic energy was made. Results indicate that constant γ has the greatest influence on the number of very small fragments, which can be used when calibrating this constant with experimental data. The masses of fragments are relatively uniform (for all γ values) up to the mass group of 50–100 g, above which the most massive fragments are obtained when γ = 5. Most of the fragments have relatively high energy where that is, fragments of mass 0.5–2 g have an average kinetic energy of 470–650 J, while fragments of masses 50–100 g have an average kinetic energy of 50–85 kJ. Described numerical simulations are a valuable tool for HE warhead designers, as they can minimize the time and expense associated with optimizing HE munition design and effectiveness evaluation when used in conjunction with available analytical techniques and experimentation procedures.

A novel model for low-permeability reservoir numerical simulation considering dynamic capillary force

ABSTRACT Capillary force is not only affected by water saturation but also affected by fluid flow velocity, which is necessary to modify the prior numerical simulation methods. First, a dynamic capillary force testing device was developed, then, an experimental procedure was adopted to measure the dynamic capillary force curve. Three dynamic capillary force curves were obtained under different displacement velocity conditions. Finally, the dynamic capillary force was introduced into the flow equation of low-permeability reservoir numerical simulation. The oil-phase equation and water-phase equation were discretized in three-dimensional space, and the IMPES method was used to solve the water saturation and pressure difference. The calculation results between the traditional numerical simulation method and the novel method under heterogeneous and inhomogeneous conditions were analyzed. The results reveal that the difference in water cut is mainly reflected in the rapid rise of water cut. In the early stage of rapid increase, the water cut calculated by the new method is slightly higher than traditional method. When the water cut is more than 65%, the water cut calculated by the new method is slightly lower than the traditional method.

An Integrated Multi-Model Framework Utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks Coupled with Feature Extraction for Identification of 4mC Sites in DNA Sequences

N4-methylcytosine (4mC) is a chemical modification that occurs on one of the four nucleotide bases in DNA and plays a vital role in DNA expression, repair, and replication. It also actively participates in the regulation of cell differentiation and gene expression. Consequently, it is important to comprehend the role of 4mC in the epigenetic regulation for revealing the complications of the gene expression and their associated governing cellular operations. However, the inherent resource requirements and time constraints of the experimental procedure, present challenges to the cellular culture process. While data-driven methodologies present promising solutions to mitigate the demand for extensive experimental efforts, their performance relies on the suitability and existence of high-quality data. This study presents a multi-model framework that integrates convolutional neural network (CNN) with the distributed k-mer and embedding feature extraction techniques to enhance the identification of 4mC sites in DNA sequences. The integration of k-mers ensures the effective representation of the local sequence patterns, while the utilization of embedding enables a more holistic encoding by considering the broader context and semantics of the sequence data. Following the initial step, the obtained distributed representation of the DNA sequence seamlessly enters the CNN, triggering a crucial convolution operation wherein a set of adaptable filters systematically convolves across the sequence to detect vital local patterns. The proposed integrated multi-model framework was applied to six publicly available datasets and evaluated against the cutting-edge 4mCPred, 4mCCNN, iDNA4mC, Meta-4mCpred, DeepTorrent, 4mCPred-SVM, and DMKL-HFIS methods. The evaluation was based on accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and Matthews Correlation Coefficient. The results demonstrated that the proposed multi-model framework outperformed the state-of-the-art methods, as well as one-hot encoding and the hybrid of one-hot & TNC features, in accurately identifying 4mC sites.

Enhancing conical solar stills with aluminum ball energy storage: Optimal distance for improved performance

The aim of this investigation is to ascertain the optimal arrangement of aluminum spheres, each with a consistent diameter of 2 cm, to serve as a cost-efficient means of energy storage for augmenting the efficacy of conical solar distillation apparatus. For this purpose, three identical conical stills were manufactured. Experimental procedures were conducted over a two-day timeframe. Initially, on the first day, the first distiller operated without any aluminum spheres, while the second and third distillers were equipped with aluminum spheres positioned at intervals of 3 cm and 4 cm, respectively. Subsequently, on the second day, the initial distillation process did not involve the presence of aluminum spheres. Nevertheless, in subsequent distillations, aluminum spheres were introduced near the base of the vessel, with respective spacings of 5 cm and 6 cm for the second and third distillations. Throughout the experiment, the brine within the vessels maintained a depth of 2 cm. The investigation revealed that the highest distillation productivity, measured at 8400 g/m^2, was attained when employing aluminum spheres with a diameter of 2 cm and spaced 3 cm apart. In contrast, distillation yields were diminished when aluminum spheres were spaced at intervals of 4, 5, and 6 cm, as well as in the absence of aluminum spheres, resulting in yields of 7750, 7200, 6700, and 5750 g/m^2, respectively. The optimal separation distance between the aluminum spheres was determined to be 3 cm, resulting in a significant enhancement of 46.08 %. Ultimately, the utilization of conical solar stills coupled with aluminum spheres as an economical energy storage medium, featuring aluminum spheres with a diameter of 2 cm and spaced 3 cm apart, emerges as the most efficacious option.

A, the synthesis and evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Silver Nanoparticles (PVA/AgNPs) via electrochemical method: a model test for antioxidant and antibacterial activities

Background: Silver nanoparticles that are artificially created have electrochemical properties that work as antibacterial agents and are widely used in several areas ofresearch. Purpose: This work aimed to generate silver nanoparticles by the electrochemical method, using PVA as a stabilizer, and assess their antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics. Experimental procedures: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using an electrochemical method, utilizing a stabilized polyvinyl alcohol solution at a concentration of 1 g/L. The validation of the PVA/AgNPs synthesis was performed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The AgNPs were characterized by FT-IR, DLS, Zeta potential, and AFM. The antioxidant capabilities of PVA/AgNPs were assessed utilizing DPPH methods. The antibacterial activity of PVA/AgNPs against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis was assessed using the bacterial growth inhibition method. An assessment was conducted to determine the susceptibility of silver nanoparticles to limit the growth of microorganisms, as well as to determine the lowest concentration required to achieve this inhibitory effect. Results: The results confirmed that the AgNPs were generated by the electrochemical method with the assistance of a PVA stabilizer. The nanosilver had a mean particle size of 53.1 nm. The antioxidant experiments revealed that PVA/AgNPs exhibit more antioxidant activity than ascorbic acid at higher dosages. PVA/AgNPs exhibit substantial antibacterial effectiveness. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PVA/AgNPs against E.coli, S.enterica, S.aureus, and B.subtilis was found to be 12.5 μg/mL. Conclusion: The bioactive chemicals found on the surface of AgNPs are responsible for the antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics of electrochemical PVA/AgNPs composites.

Silver nanoparticles versus chitosan nanoparticles effects on demineralized enamel

BackgroundTo compare the impacts of different remineralizing agents on demineralized enamel, we focused on chitosan nanoparticles (ChiNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).MethodsThis study was conducted on 40 extracted human premolars with artificially induced demineralization using demineralizing solution. Prior to the beginning of the experimental procedures, the samples were preserved in artificial saliva solution. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and teeth were divided into four equal groups: Group A was utilized as a control group (no demineralization) and received no treatment. Group B was subjected to demineralization with no treatment. Group C was subjected to demineralization and then treated with ChiNPs. Group D was subjected to demineralization and then treated with AgNPs. The teeth were evaluated for microhardness. The enamel surfaces of all the samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological changes and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for elemental analysis.ResultsThe third and fourth groups had the highest mean microhardness and calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) contents. SEM of these two groups revealed relative restoration of homogenous remineralized enamel surface architecture with minimal micropores.ConclusionChitosan nanoparticles (NPs) and silver NPs help restore the enamel surface architecture and mineral content. Therefore, chitosan NPs and AgNPs would be beneficial for remineralizing enamel.

A Journey to Healing Pain: Trauma Writing of Charlie Gordon in Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon, first published in 1959, is a novel written by the American writer Daniel Keyes. It tells the story of Charlie Gordon’s journey from having an intellectual disability to gaining extraordinary intelligence, as well as his regression when one experimental procedure starts to goes wrong. “Trauma” is a marked theme in the work, which plays a vital role in portraying characters and developing plots. In the light of trauma theory, this essay puts a focus on the relationship between trauma and the individual, and author of this paper argues that family and society are two major roots in imposing misery upon the protagonist. With the interference of technology, trauma is rediscovered and represented by his confusion, maladjustment, and rage. Ultimately, he treats it through finding himself, building connections with others, and doing contributions to the society. It is concluded that based on writing the trauma of the intelligently disabled, Keyes vividly communicates his concerns on then further revealing the theme of science and technology, goodness, and wisdom.