Fine Fraction Research Articles

Productivity of onion depending on the seeding fraction and feeding with water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers

The productivity of agricultural crops is determined by the choice of varieties, planting material, the optimal time of sowing and planting depending on the climatic conditions of the region, the use of organic and mineral fertilizers, and care methods. Planting material plays an important role in the growth and development of onions and the formation of yield. Onions are very demanding in terms of nutrition, this is due to the length of the growing season, growth rates and poorly developed root system. To obtain high and high-quality onion yields, it is necessary to use fertilizers in an accessible form. Water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers quickly and evenly penetrate deep into the soil. Fertilizers improve the growth and development of plants, regulating nutrition processes, increase the yield and quality of the resulting products. As a result of many years of research, it was found that optimizing the mineral nutrition of onions through the use of fertilizers in active form provides a significant increase in the yield of onions. A comparative assessment of the productivity of onions when grown from sets of different fractions using water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic has been little studied.Materials and methods. The purpose of the research: to improve the technology of cultivating onions depending on the fraction of the set and fertilizing with water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers. In 2020–2021 On onions of the Stuttgarter Riesen variety, a two-factor experiment was carried out to study the effect of fertilizing with Aquarin and Rastvorin fertilizers when using different fractions of sets for planting. The studies were carried out using generally accepted methods.Results and its discussion. In the Udmurt Republic, the optimal for planting Stuttgarten Riesen onions is the medium and large fraction of the set, and the positive effect of water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers Aquarin and Rastvorin on the yield and its structure has been revealed. However, it is more economically profitable to use the fine fraction of sets when growing onions.

Evaluation of dredge fines material in manufactured soil blends on soil health parameters

AbstractSolutions are needed to address increasing concerns over degraded land and global food insecurity. One solution is to design soil blends that can restore soil quality and fertility. Dredge material has many soil‐like properties, which makes it a good candidate for the main component of manufactured soil blends. Questions have arisen over contaminants of concern (heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons [PAH]) in dredge fines precluding them from reuse. One approach is to remove the fine fraction of dredge to lower the contaminant concentration; however, it may result in a lower quality soil substitute for land reclamation. In this study, soil blends were designed to compare the use of whole dredge to dredge fines (e.g., dredge with silt and clay fraction) and to assess the benefits of compost material, clay, and fertilizer additions. Dredge fines blends led to increases in soil quality, dry matter growth, plant available water, total and active C, potentially mineralizable N, and micronutrients. The addition of compost material led to better soil quality for a vast majority of the tested parameters. Dredge fines were below regulatory standards for contaminants of concern (e.g., carinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon and heavy metals), allowing their reuse in soil blends. Removal of fines from dredge decreases the quality of soil blends and should not be removed from dredge material for use as topsoil or in topsoil blends. The 80% (v/v) dredge fines blend with 20% (v/v) additions of compost material resulted in the greatest improvements in the assessed soil health parameters.

Analysis of constituent factors affecting the state of dedusting of aspiration emissions

A significant part of industry is occupied by technology that is involved in the processes of manufacturing products, for example, sanitary ware factory, foundry, chemical or sugar industry. At such enterprises a large amount of dusty air is generated, which comes from various technological processes. Dust and gas collecting devices are used to purify dusty air. Depending on the state of dust and air flow, its fraction, dust dispersion and the method of collection, different aspiration devices are used. Aspiration devices are divided by the method of dust collection into wet or dry. Each of these types of aspiration devices has its own advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in this article, such as increased aerodynamic or hydraulic resistance, regeneration of the device, the size of the trapped fraction, the need to use flushing fluid, etc. The classification of plant types for selection to a specific process or needs depends on the most efficient method of collection, particle dispersion and energy efficiency of the dust collector. Wet dust collectors have more diverse forms, designs and applications than dry dust collectors. Wet dust collectors are divided into groups depending on the state of the liquid phase (devices in which dust deposition occurs on a film of liquid, foam devices, turbulent dust collectors or condensation devices) and on the method of dispersion of the liquid (nozzle scrubbers, devices in which crushing is carried out due to the energy of the gas-air flow or dynamic gas washers). In this article, the designs and operating features of various wet dust collectors of each of these groups are considered in accordance with their characteristics of dust collection, liquid flow rate and design shortcomings. On the basis of the works of a number of researchers, the characteristics of the fractional degree of air purification from dust are graphically presented to determine the most effective apparatus for capturing fine fractions. The conclusions are made and further tasks and plans for conducting the necessary experiments and analysis of the data of scientists' works are set.

Analysis of the Possibility of Copper Recovery from Flotation Stratiform Copper Ore Tailings

ABSTRACT Flotation tailings produced at three concentrator plants operated by KGHM Polska Miedz SA (SW Poland) are all continuously deposited in the Zelazny Most Tailings Storage Facility. The aim of this study was to analyze the possibility of recovering copper from the stream of final tailings continually produced by the largest of the three KGHM concentrator plants. The tailings sample contained 0.25% of Cu and was characterized by a relatively fine grain size. The tests were performed for three narrow-range size fractions of the tailings sample: −0.040, 0.040–0.160 and +0.160 mm. The findings demonstrate that the coarse and fine fractions are the main carriers of copper-bearing minerals which can be recovered with satisfactory results, if the fractions are processed separately. The coarse grain fraction was milled and then floated in the presence of standard flotation reagents with satisfactory results. The fine fraction was floated in the presence of NaHS with a relatively good efficiency which requires further research. The presented results prove that copper losses in this material can be partially reduced already at the stage of the upgrading processes performed in the concentrator plant.

Development of favipiravir dry powders for intranasal delivery: An integrated cocrystal and particle engineering approach via spray freeze drying

The therapeutic potential of pharmaceutical cocrystals in intranasal applications remains largely unexplored despite progressive advancements in cocrystal research. We present the application of spray freeze drying (SFD) in successful fabrication of a favipiravir-pyridinecarboxamide cocrystal nasal powder formulation for potential treatment of broad-spectrum antiviral infections. Preliminary screening via mechanochemistry revealed that favipiravir (FAV) can cocrystallize with isonicotinamide (INA), but not nicotinamide (NCT) and picolinamide (PIC) notwithstanding their structural similarity. The cocrystal formation was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and unit cell determination through Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray analysis. FAV-INA crystalized in a monoclinic space group P21/c with a unit cell volume of 1223.54(3) Å3, accommodating one FAV molecule and one INA molecule in the asymmetric unit. The cocrystal was further reproduced as intranasal dry powders by SFD, of which the morphology, particle size, in vitro drug release, and nasal deposition were assessed. The non-porous flake shaped FAV-INA powders exhibited a mean particle size of 19.79 ± 2.61 μm, rendering its suitability for intranasal delivery. Compared with raw FAV, FAV-INA displayed a 3-fold higher cumulative fraction of drug permeated in Franz diffusion cells at 45 min (p = 0.001). Dose fraction of FAV-INA deposited in the nasal fraction of a customized 3D-printed nasal cast reached over 80 %, whereas the fine particle fraction remained below 6 % at a flow rate of 15 L/min, suggesting high nasal deposition whilst minimal lung deposition. FAV-INA was safe in RPMI 2650 nasal and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells without any in vitro cytotoxicity observed. This study demonstrated that combining the merits of cocrystallization and particle engineering via SFD can propel the development of advanced dry powder formulations for intranasal drug delivery.

Aspherical, Nano-Structured Drug Delivery System with Tunable Release and Clearance for Pulmonary Applications.

Addressing the challenge of efficient drug delivery to the lungs, a nano-structured, microparticulate carrier system with defined and customizable dimensions has been developed. Utilizing a template-assisted approach and capillary forces, particles were rapidly loaded and stabilized. The system employs a biocompatible alginate gel as a stabilizing matrix, facilitating the breakdown of the carrier in body fluids with the subsequent release of its nano-load, while also mitigating long-term accumulation in the lung. Different gel strengths and stabilizing steps were applied, allowing us to tune the release kinetics, as evaluated by a quantitative method based on a flow-imaging system. The micro-cylinders demonstrated superior aerodynamic properties in Next Generation Impactor (NGI) experiments, such as a smaller median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), while yielding a higher fine particle fraction (FPF) than spherical particles similar in critical dimensions. They exhibited negligible toxicity to a differentiated macrophage cell line (dTHP-1) for up to 24 h of incubation. The kinetics of the cellular uptake by dTHP-1 cells was assessed via fluorescence microscopy, revealing an uptake-rate dependence on the aspect ratio (AR = l/d); cylinders with high AR were phagocytosed more slowly than shorter rods and comparable spherical particles. This indicates that this novel drug delivery system can modulate macrophage uptake and clearance by adjusting its geometric parameters while maintaining optimal aerodynamic properties and featuring a biodegradable stabilizing matrix.

Interpreting Image Patterns for Agricultural Sprays Using Statistics and Machine Learning Techniques

The atomization of liquid spray solutions through nozzles is a mechanism for delivering many pesticides to the target. The smallest drop sizes (<150 μm) are known as driftable fines and have a propensity for wind-induced convection. Many agricultural applications include oil-in-water formulations. The experimental metrics obtained from spray images of these formulations include the distance from the nozzle origin to the drop centroid once a drop has formed; the hole location and surface area for holes that form in the liquid sheet (all hole areas approximated as polygons); the angles formed between polygon segments (whose vertices are represented as boundary points); and the ligament dimensions that form from intersecting holes, such as the ligament aspect ratio (R/L), ligament length (L), and ligament radius (width), along with the number of drops a ligament breaks up into. These metrics were used in a principal component regression (PCR) analysis, and the results illustrated that 99% of the variability in the response variable (DT10) was addressed by 10 principal components. Angles formed by the colliding holes, hole distance from the nozzle, drop distance, hole number, ligament number, and drop number were negatively correlated to the atomization driftable fine fraction, while hole area, ligament distance, ligament area, and boundary area were positively correlated. Thus, to decrease/minimize driftable fines, one needs to increase the negatively correlated metrics.

Distribution, speciation, and assessment of heavy metals in sediments from Wadi Asal, Red Sea, Egypt

Globally, the environmental contamination of stream sediments due to geogenic and anthropogenic sources is of growing concern. In this study, the heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in 22 superficial sediments in Wadi Asal, Red Sea, Egypt, were explored to assess sediment sources, the mobility of chemical species, and the degree of contamination in sediments. Therefore, the total heavy metal values in the fine fraction (< 63 μm), a five-step sequential extraction on selective samples, risk assessment, and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied. The mobility of heavy metals in Wadi Asal sediments, according to non-residual fraction percent, declines in the following order: Cd (90.9%) > Pb (85.2%) > Co (84.4%) > Cu (80.8%) > Zn (75.9%) > Ni (48.4%) > Cr (39.6%); indicating the high mobility of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Co. The mean metal contamination factor (CF) order is Cd (10.96) > Ni (3.91) > Cr (2.77) > Zn (2.18) > Pb (2.10) > Co (1.12) > Cu (0.70). The Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) is decreased in the following order: Cd (2.19) > Ni (0.78) > Cr (0.55) > Zn (0.44) > Pb (0.42) > Co (0.22) > Cu (0.14). The risk assessment code (RAC) revealed very high to high risk for Cd, Co, and Pb. The results pointed out that the metals Cr, Co, Cu, and Ni are from geogenic sources, while Zn, Cd, and Pb are from anthropogenic sources due to Pb–Zn mining activities. Based on the threshold effect level (TEL), Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb have adverse effects on living organisms. According to these findings, the area along Wadi Asal and the downstream regions on the beach are highly polluted and heavy metal monitoring in sediments and aquatic organisms is recommended.

Using Autoclave Concrete Prism Testing to Evaluate ASR Reactivity in Concrete Using Laboratory Tests and Outdoor Exposure Blocks as Benchmark Data

Abstract The alkali–silica reaction (ASR) occurs in concrete that contains silica in a reactive aggregate, sufficient alkalis, and sufficient moisture. Although the most widely accepted tests for evaluating ASR potential are the concrete prism test (CPT) and the accelerated mortar bar test, each test has limitations. Because of the need to test concrete mixes within a short period of time, an accelerated autoclave test method (autoclaved CPT [ACPT]) was investigated using concrete prism samples boosted to 3.0 % total alkali content subjected to an exposure temperature of 271°F (133°C) with a corresponding pressure of 29 psi (0.2 MPa) for 24 hours. A suite of aggregates was evaluated by concrete prism specimens using both the ACPT and CPT methods. The ACPT was able to classify individual aggregate fractions for ASR reactivity with 97.2 % accuracy for the proposed limit of 0.09 % expansion for 36 tested mixtures and approximately 130 specimens. Data from this test suggest that a week-long test could be considered an effective screening tool for the alkali reactivity of coarse or fine aggregate fractions. In addition, miniature CPT (AASHTO T 380, Standard Method of Test for Potential Alkali Reactivity of Aggregates and Effectiveness of ASR Mitigation Measures (Miniature Concrete Prism Test, MCPT) and 12-year outdoor exposure block results are evaluated and compared with both CPT and ACPT results. Although the data suggest a general agreement between these methods, further testing is warranted along with multi-laboratory precision evaluation.

Exposure risks of lead and other metals to humans: A consideration of specific size fraction and methodology

Particle size is a critical influencing factor in assessing human exposure risk as fine particles are generally more hazardous than larger coarse particles. However, how particle composition influences human health risk is only poorly understood as different studies have different utilised different definitions and as a consequence there is no consensus. Here, with a new methodology taking insights of each size fraction load (%GSFload), metal bioaccessibility, we classify which specific particle size can reliably estimate the human exposure risk of lead and other metals. We then validate these by correlating the metals in each size fraction with those in human blood, hair, crop grain and different anthropogenic sources. Although increasing health risks are linked to metal concentration these increase as particle size decrease, the adjusted-risk for each size fraction differs when %GSFload is introduced to the risk assessment program. When using a single size fraction (250–50 µm, 50–5 µm, 5–1 µm, and < 1 µm) for comparison, the risk may be either over- or under-estimated. However, by considering bulk and adjusting the risk, it would be possible to obtain results that are closer to the real scenarios, which have been validated through human responses and evidence from crops. Fine particle size fractions (< 5 µm) bearing the mineral crystalline or aggregates (CaCO3, Fe3O4, Fe2O3, CaHPO4, Pb5(PO4)3Cl) alter the accumulation, chemical speciation, and fate of metals in soil/dust/sediment from the different sources. Loaded lead in the size fraction of < 50 µm has a significantly higher positive association with the risk-receptor biomarkers (BLLs, Hair Pb, Corn Pb, and Crop Pb) than other size fractions (bulk and 50–250 µm). Thus, we conclude that the < 50 µm fraction would be likely to be recommended as a reliable fraction to include in a risk assessment program. This methodology acts as a valuable instrument for future research undertakings, highlighting the importance of choosing suitable size fractions and attaining improved accuracy in risk assessment results that can be effectively compared.

Particle agglomeration via resonant acoustic mixer for dry powder inhalation

The work presented in this paper employed a resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) process to optimize the fine particle agglomeration process for dry powder inhalation to achieve efficient pulmonary delivery of melatonin. The formulation prepared by acoustic mixing with the double layer grids demonstrated superior agglomerate particle size distribution and approximately 90% of the metered dose in the dosing chamber was emitted from Turbuhaler® (90% emitted dose). Acceleration force during acoustic mixing significantly affected the packing fraction of mixtures and mechanical strength of agglomerates resulting in improved fine particle fraction. The particle agglomeration via RAM can improve the efficiency of agglomerate production by utilizing the internal space of the mixer to induce more particle collision. The agglomerates formulation exhibited ideal fine particle fraction of 47.65 ± 1.46% and 56.02 ± 2.55% at flow rates of 30 and 60 L/min, respectively. The fine particle deposition was only slightly affected at the lower air-flow rate, suggesting a reliable inhalation performance in vivo.

Multi-element geochemical analyses on ultrafine soils in Western Australia – towards establishing abundance ranges in mineral exploration settings

In this study, we present summary statistics for multi-element soil geochemistry across Western Australia based on over 74 000 soil samples using the UltraFine+ ® method that extracts and analyses the clay (&lt;2 μ m) fraction of a soil sample. This method is a critical advancement for the detection of mobile element signatures for soil geochemical mineral exploration surveys in cover. However, existing estimates of background metal abundances acquired with other methods and on different sample media do not readily provide context for these analyses, as recovery from the fine fraction differs to that of whole-sample analysis. We therefore present herein the geochemical results for 52 elements, including precious, base and critical metals, as well as commonly associated pathfinder elements for Western Australian samples analysed during several research projects by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). This dataset is separated by tectonic unit into the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane and the Youanmi Terrane in the Yilgarn Craton, the Pilbara Craton and Sylvania Inlier, the Gascoyne, Lamboo and Aileron Provinces, and the Bryah and Earaheedy Basins to provide exploration-relevant context in these areas. We discuss some of the general trends observed for 12 of these elements, as well as some considerations for the use of these data in comparison to other geochemical soil surveys and with regards to mineral exploration settings. The samples presented in this study are not evenly distributed across Western Australia and limited information is available to correlate whether lithology at depth is mineralized or barren. However, in the absence of other systematic datasets using the &lt;2 μ m-size fraction, these data present a suitable first-pass resource of element abundance ranges in areas of mineral exploration interest using the UltraFine+ ® method in some of the mineral-endowed areas of Western Australia. Supplementary material: Supplementary data A, UltraFine+ ® Soil Sampling Guide; B, UltraFine+ ® analyses results for available samples in Western Australia; C, Summary statistics of UltraFine+ ® analyses by simplified tectonic units; Supplementary Figure 1, Comparison of elemental mean values and uncertainties for ultrafine reference materials QC 320 and QC 422; Supplementary Figure 2, Violin plots of Ni, Cd, Mg and Au by simplified tectonic unit; Supplementary Figure 3, Location of soil samples in the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane analysed via UltraFine+ ® , and those collected as part of the NGSA and GSWA regolith programme; Supplementary Figure 4, Comparison of W, Al, Mg and Ca results from UltraFine+ ® , NGSA and GSWA analyses in the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6919933

Shear performance of polypropylene fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete beams

This paper consists of two parts. The first one looks for producing self-compacting polypropylene fibrous concrete (PFSCC) with reasonable passing, filling, and flow abilities and segregation resistance. Limestone powder with a particle size less than 75 μm was used to increase the fines fraction in the mix. The second part of this study deals with the effect of adding polypropylene fibers on the shear strength of self-compacted reinforced concrete beams. Eighteen beams were cast, each 1.8 m long, 150 mm wide, and with an overall depth of 200 mm. Four volume percentages of polypropylene fibers were used: 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 percent of the cementitious materials' weight. The test results showed that the polypropylene fibers have no serious adverse effect on the fresh properties, and this effect was reduced by using a plasticizer. Moreover, although the polypropylene fibers improved the tension properties of the hardened concrete, they don't have an impact on compression properties. The test results showed that the presence of polypropylene fibers increased the cracking shear stress and the shear strength, and this increase depends on the volume fraction of the fibers.

Two-Step Bio-Dissolution of Metals from Printed Circuit Boards Using Acidophilic Iron- and Sulfur-Oxidizing Mesophiles

To date, electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide due to technological advancement and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Although e-waste is an environmental hazard, these materials are considered good secondary sources of metals. This study examined the bioleaching of metals from printed circuit boards, where a two-step bioleaching approach was used with iron–sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms at different e-waste particle sizes. The metal analysis from the different particle sizes (PSs) showed that copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) were predominantly deposited in the coarser fraction, ranging from 500 to 710 µm at 28.7, 20.5, and 11.1 wt.%, respectively. On the other hand, metals such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and aluminum (Al) were mostly deposited in the finer fraction, which ranged from 38 to 150 µm at 37.3, 5.9, 8.8, 1.3, and 4.2 wt.%, respectively. After the bioleaching process, it was observed that higher metal extraction occurred at a PS ranging from 38 to 150 µm, which achieved recovery efficiency rates of 62.9%, 68.2%, 95.3%, 86.1%, 61.9%, 47.2%, 21.2%, and 63.6% for Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn, respectively, over 10 days.

An experimental investigation on mitigating cracks and augmenting the endurance of concrete structures in marine environment by bio-mortar immobilised with halophilic bacteria

In coastal areas, built structures encounter hostile conditions and forces that can cause them to deteriorate over time owing to saltwater exposure, tidal forces, reinforcement corrosion, and freeze–thaw cycles. Early age cracks in such structures accelerate the rate of deterioration, and the current research focuses on alleviating such threats. This paper evaluates the performance of a self-healing mortar made by encapsulating expanded perlite with the bacterium Halobacillus Halophilus MCC2188. Mortar cube specimens of size 70.6 mm × 70.6 mm× 70.6 mm were prepared with cement: fine aggregate in 1:3 ratios. A 10% volume of the fine aggregate fraction was substituted with the expanded perlite immobilised with bacterial spores and nutrients. The expanded perlite aggregates were coated with sodium silicate and cement solution to protect the spores from the nonconducive environment. The specimens were subjected to fully and partially submerged marine water curing. The mechanical properties and self-healing potential were evaluated, and the precipitated polymorphs in completely healed cracks were identified and examined by characterisation techniques such as XRD, FEGSEM, FTIR, and TGA-DTG. The marine bacterium under investigation can tolerate the high salt concentrations commonly found in seawater and saline marshy soil and produce calcite through the metabolism of organic compounds, making it a suitable microorganism for self-healing applications. Crack widths of up to 0.84 mm and 92.79% average strength recovery were achieved in 56 days post-cracking, and the pace of healing was quicker in partially submerged curing conditions. The results showed improved self-healing, strength regain and mechanical strength and proved to be an efficient tool for enhancing the endurance of biomortar in severe marine exposure conditions.

Variasi Spasial Kepadatan Cacing Kacang di Pantai Toronipa Sulawesi Tenggara

The density of peanut worms is concentrated in the subtidal zone and is closely related to the substrate where they live. This research aims to determine spatial variations in peanut worm density. This research was carried out at Toronipa Beach, Southeast Sulawesi from June 2020 to February 2021. Peanut worms were collected using a hand scoop to a depth of ±10 cm in a 10x10 m2 quadrat transect at each station. Data were analyzed using standard formulas and tested using Mann-Whitney and linear regression. The results showed that the highest density of peanut worms was found at station II with a mean value of 12±104 ind/10m2 which was significantly different from stations I and III with densities of 9±52 ind/10m2 and 7±124 ind/10m2 respectively. Five types of seagrass were identified, namely Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila minor, and Thalassia hemprichii. The number of seagrass species found at stations I, II, and III were 1, 2, and 5, respectively. Peanut worm density was positively correlated with seagrass density with a coefficient of determination of 86.45%. Water quality tends to be the same at all stations, except that organic matter is higher than at stations I and II. The dominant fine sand fraction was found at stations I and III, while very coarse sand was dominantly found at station II. The density of peanut worms on Toronipa Beach is determined by a combination of seagrass density, high levels of organic matter, and the dominant texture of the coarse sand substrate.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: peanut worm, spatial density, Sulawesi, water quality

Effect of a nonionic surfactant and anionic polyelectrolyte binary system on the stability of a calcium and magnesium carbonates dispersion

The effect of sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene glycol of various molecular weights, and their mixtures on the dispersion stability of calcium and magnesium carbonates was studied. It was shown that in the presence of a binary system, the light transmission of the dispersion decreases 1.2–1.5 times, the content of fine fraction particles increases by 1.1–1.3 times compared to the individual components. The stability of the dispersion of carbonates depends on the components ratio in the binary system and their molecular weight. The formation of adsorption solvated layers of polyacrylate and polyethylene glycol molecules at the interphase boundary contributes to an increase in the stability of the carbonate dispersion.

Development and characterization of nintedanib inhalable powders as a potential pulmonary fibrosis treatment

Nintedanib is an orally administered intracellular tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Differently from oral treatment, dry powder inhalers (DPIs) can deliver a higher drug concentration at the target site, reducing doses and systemic side effects. The aim of this work was to develop dry powders of Nintedanib with properties suitable for inhalation therapy. Particles were prepared by spray drying the drug alone (3–5% w/v) or with appropriate excipients, from different hydroalcoholic solutions i.e., water/ethanol (7/3 v/v) or water/isopropyl alcohol (from 7/3 v/v to 5/5 v/v) mixtures. The powders obtained were characterized in terms of process yield, particle size distribution, morphology, density and aerodynamic properties. The results indicated that leucine improved the aerosol performance of the powders, increasing the value of the fine particle fraction (FPF) from 47.9 % in the drug only batches to 73.1 % using 5 % w/w leucine. This improvement was attributed to the ability of the amino acid to change both the surface area of the particles and the fluidity of the powder. Therefore, this study demonstrated the possibility of developing dry powder of Nintedanib for local administration in the lungs for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Role of clay cation exchange capacity, location of charge, and clay mineralogy on potassium availability in Indian Vertisols

Abstract Precise information on the location of charge in clay minerals and their charge density in smectite-dominant soils is rare. The present study was undertaken with three benchmark Vertisols to establish the relationship between the clay cation exchange capacity (CEC), charge density, as well as the location of charge in smectitic soil clay minerals and their relationship with potassium (K) fixation and release. Potassium fractions and their threshold levels in the Vertisols were determined by standard methods. Soils were segregated into silt, total clay and fine clay fractions for X-ray diffraction analysis and fine clay fractions were used to determine the CEC using standard methods. The Hofmann-Klemen effect (HK) and modified Greene-Kelly test was done with the fine clay to determine the CEC of the tetrahedral sheet. Subsequently, the CEC of the octahedral sheet was calculated as the difference between total CEC and the tetrahedral CEC. The results showed that ~60–64% of the total CEC is attributed to the tetrahedral layers. The tetrahedral CEC that is proportional to the tetrahedral charge density was significant and negatively correlated with K release threshold values and all fractions of K. The tetrahedral CEC contributed more toward the K fixation and release than the octahedral CEC. The study shows that the dominant presence of high-charge smectites in the fine clay fractions of these Vertisols contributed to the tetrahedral CEC and consequently to the charge density of these soils, which implied a tendency to fix K easily and release it with greater difficulty compared to soils with low-charge smectites.

Advanced Studies of Inert Landfill Fine Fraction Mass – Hunting for Values from Waste

The maintaining solution for keeping and storing waste over the last century has been landfilling as its costs are the lowest. A sustainable approach such as Landfill Mining (LFM) can be applied to recover Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and other valuable metals from waste that make fundamental assets in terms of economy and essential for developing industrial technologies. This study investigated concentrations of REEs and other metals in waste material. Samples from Ida-Virumaa (Estonia) landfilled waste fine fraction was taken to see the element concentration proceeded through sequential extraction. Additionally, the method of clay modification was developed that may serve as a sorbent to extract the REEs from the inert landfill fine fraction waste using hydroxyapatite modified clay. The amount of REEs might become of industrial interest if a feasible landfill mining approach for remediation of landfills and degraded industrial soils would be applied together with innovative recovery methods, e.g., sorption by modified clays.