Potential Measurements Research Articles

Quality measures in primary care skin cancer management: a qualitative study of the views of key informants

ObjectivesThis study explored potential quality measures to improve skin cancer management in primary care settings, and the barriers and facilitators associated with their implementation.DesignSemistructured interviews and qualitative proforma surveys were...

Patient and caregiver perspectives on causes and prevention of ambulatory adverse events: multilingual qualitative study

ContextAmbulatory adverse events (AEs) affect up to 25% of the global population and cause over 7 million preventable hospital admissions around the world. Though patients and caregivers are key actors...

Incoming Inspection of Lithium‐Ion Batteries Based on Multi‐cell Testing

Incoming inspections of battery cells prior to module assembly help to ensure the quality of the battery system and prevent the installation of anomalous cells. Depending on the area of application, identifying deviations in the electrical behavior of the battery cells under test can be essential for downstream assembly processes like cell matching and algorithm adaptations of the battery management software. In this work, the use of a multi‐cell testing procedure involving differential voltage analysis, incremental capacity analysis, direct current internal resistance tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is investigated to reveal differences in cell properties and identify anomalous cells while economizing on the required cell test channels. The results obtained from 20 model‐identical 21700 cylindrical cells from four different batches demonstrate that this methodology can detect material variations, such as differing silicon and graphite content, which are not disclosed by the supplier or indicated in the data sheet. A teardown with elemental analysis of two cells from different batches is carried out as verification. Finally, prospects for potential application scenarios and raw measurement data are provided.

Co/Ni/Cu-NH2BDC MOF@natural Egyptian zeolite ore nanocomposite for calcium ion removal in water softening applications.

Water softening is a treatment process required to remove calcium (Ca(II)) and magnesium (Mg(II)) cations from water streams. Nanocomposites can provide solutions for such multiple challenges and have high performance and low application costs. In this work, a multimetallic cobalt, nickel, and copper 2-aminoterephthalic acid metal-organic framework ((Co/Ni/Cu-NH2BDC) MOF) was synthesized by a simple solvothermal technique. This MOF was supported on an Egyptian natural zeolite ore and was used for the adsorption of Ca(II) ions for water-softening applications. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, and zeta potential measurements. The adsorption isotherm data for the prepared adsorbent toward Ca(II) were best fit using the Redlich-Peterson model and showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 88.1 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics revealed an equilibrium time of 10 min, which was best fit using the Avrami model. The intermolecular interactions of Ca(II) ions with zeolite and MOF were investigated by Monte Carlo simulations, molecular dynamics simulations, and FTIR and XRD analyses. The adsorption sites in the zeolite structure were oxygen atoms, while those in the MOF structure were amine nitrogen atoms. The Ca(II) ions are coordinated with the solvent molecules in both structures. Finally, the in vitro cytotoxicity of this nanocomposite was assessed, revealing viability levels of 74.57 ± 2.1% and 21 ± 2.79% for Vero and African green monkey kidney and human liver (HepG2) cells, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays help assess the environmental impact of these materials, ensuring that they do not harm aquatic organisms or disrupt ecosystems. Thus, this study demonstrated the valorization of MOF/zeolite as a valuable and industry-ready adsorbent that can appropriate Ca(II) contaminants from aqueous streams.

Characterization of Moroccan cactus juice toward its use as a green flocculant in wastewater treatment

ABSTRACT The present work is dedicated to the characterization of Moroccan cactus juice, which shows encouraging performance in wastewater treatment. Various techniques were used to highlight the chemical and physical properties of this natural product. Elemental analysis of cactus juice using inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy revealed the presence of numerous minerals. Fourier Transform Infrared, ultraviolet, and nuclear magnetic spectroscopies demonstrate the presence of many carbohydrate components. Identification of volatile compounds by gas chromatography reveals the presence of Gibb-3-ene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid, ethyl gallate, 3TMS derivative, ethyl ester and 1-(2-Isopropyl-phenyl)-3,6,6-trimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro–indazol. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates three peaks at 100, 200 and 600 °C, corresponding to the mass loss of water, polysaccharides, and organic matter, respectively. The rheological characterization of cactus juice suggests that this liquid exhibits shear-thinning behavior, which is governed by the Casson model. The results of the Zeta potential measurement demonstrate the anionic character of cactus juice as a flocculant, with −25 mV as a value of zeta potential. Its use as a flocculant in organic matter removal shows that the chemical Oxygen demand decreases significantly with the increase of the added cactus juice dose, confirming, therefore, its flocculating behavior.

Tailoring Silk Sericin Grafting: Comparing One‐Step and Two‐Step Approaches for PNIPAM/PAMPS Block Nanoparticles

AbstractStructurally defined, protein‐grafted nanoparticles are widely used in various biomedical applications, particularly as intelligent nanocarriers for drug delivery. The integration of synthetic polymers with natural proteins such as silk sericin enhances the functionality and stability of these nanocarriers, making them suitable for targeted and controlled drug release. In this context, an optimized grafting procedure for silk sericin is presented, employing a protein macroinitiator and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). This study aims to elucidate the significance of the grafting process in tailoring the structure of sericin through the chemistry of synthetic grafts. The grafting procedure uses block copolymers of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), such as Poly‐(AMPS‐block‐NIPAM)/Poly‐(NIPAM‐block‐AMPS). The procedure employs both one‐step and two‐step synthesis methods to produce a well‐defined, biofunctionalized sericin. Subsequently, sericin‐based nanoparticles are prepared, demonstrating the significance of the optimized procedure. The synthesized products undergo structural analysis using H‐NMR, FTIR‐ATR, XPS, DLS, and zeta potential measurements. In addition, their thermal behavior is assessed using differential scanning calorimetry. To further investigate the prepared nanoparticles, SEM and DLS analyses are conducted. Through synthesis optimization, position and length of each synthetic block is precisely determined, significantly influencing properties of the grafted products and characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles.

Bimetallic nanoparticles with sulfated galactan eliminate Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Bimetallic (Au/Ag) nanoparticles (BNPs) have shown enhanced antibacterial activity compared to their monometallic counterparts. Sulfated galactans (SG) are a naturally occurring polymer commonly found in red seaweed Gracilaria fisheri. They are biocompatible and biodegradable and environmentally friendly. In this study, we utilized SG in combination with BNPs to develop composite materials that potentially enhance antibacterial activity against shrimp pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio harveyi, compared to BNPs or SG alone. BNPs were coated with sulfated galactan (SGBNPs) and characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-vis spectroscopy analysis revealed that the surface plasmon peaks of BNPs and SGBNPs appeared at 530 nm and 532 nm, respectively. Zeta potential measurements showed that SGBNPs had a negative charge of -32.4 mV, while the BNPs solution had a positive charge of 38.7 mV. TEM images demonstrated the spherical morphology of both BNPs and SGBNPs with narrow size distributions (3-10 nm). Analysis of the FTIR spectra indicated that SG maintained its backbone structure in SGBNPs, but some functional groups were altered. Notably, SGBNPs showed superior antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi compared to SG and BNPs. Furthermore, treatment with SGBNPs significantly down-regulated the expression of virulence-related genes (toxR, cpsQ, and mfpA) for V. parahaemolyticus 3HP compared to the respective control, bacteria treated with BNPs or SG. Diets supplemented with SGBNPs, BNPs, or SG showed no detrimental impact on the growth of shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Shrimp fed with SGBNPs-supplemented feed showed significantly higher survival rates than those fed with BNPs-supplemented feed when infected with 3HP after being on the supplemented feed for seven days and a subsequent number of fifteen days. These findings collectively demonstrate the benefit of using SG capped Au-Ag BNPs as an antibacterial agent for the prevention and control of Vibrio sp. infection in shrimp while reducing the risk of environmental contamination.

The Effect of Irrigation on the Vineyard Canopy and Individual Leaf Morphology Evaluated with Proximal Sensing, Colorimetry, and Traditional Morphometry

The high number of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars grown world-wide are described and identified according to detailed morphological and morphometric descriptor lists. The grapevine leaf is of utmost importance in characterization, despite its traits being very sensitive to environmental factors. In this study, the effect of irrigation/drought stress on the individual leaf morphology and morphometry of the ‘Hárslevelű’ grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar was examined. To verify the effect of the applied irrigation methods (drip and subsoil irrigation) on the plant’s water status, water potential measurements were carried out during the 2022 season. The effect of the applied treatments on the vegetative growth was evaluated according to point quadrat and a multichannel LiDAR analysis in order to describe the width of the canopy area, row volume, and area coverage index. The individual leaf morphology was assessed via traditional morphometry and colorimetry. Our results showed that rainfed plants had a significantly lower stem ψ compared to the drip- and subsoil-irrigated plants at all examined dates. The point quadrat results indicate that the leaf layer number was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the position, while the treatment showed no effect on the leaf layer number. The leaf colorimetry showed a difference among the samples, as significant alterations were found in 28 out of the 32 examined color properties. Within the traditional morphometric analysis, 54 traits were evaluated, and 14 of the traits were significantly altered due to the different water management systems.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Eimeria magna infecting local rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Alkarg City, Saudi Arabia.

Coccidiosis is one of the most prevalent diseases found in local rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), which is caused by the Eimeria. The study aimed to more reliably identify Eimeria species (Eimeria magna) infecting Local Rabbits in Alkarg City, Saudi Arabia, based the method on the molecular properties and morphological and molecular biological techniques. Sub-spheroidal oocysts measuring 21-27 × 12-16 (24 × 14.4) μm (20 n) and with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 0.9-1.1 (1.0) were identified by microscopic analysis of a fecal sample. Oocysts feature a bi-layered wall that is 1.0-1.2 (1.1) μm thick. About two-thirds of the wall's thickness is made up of a smooth outer layer. A polar granule is present, but neither a micropyle nor an oocyst residuum is present. The ovoidal sporozoites measure 15-18 × 8-11 (16.5 × 9.5) μm, have an L/W ratio of 1.6-1.8 (1.7), and take up around 21% of the oocyst's total surface. The mean size of the sub-Stieda body is 1.4 × 2.3 μm, while the average size of the Stieda body is 0.9 × 1.8 μm. The para-Stieda body is lacking. Sporocyst residuum appears membrane-bound and has an uneven form made up of several granules. With two refractile bodies below the striations and pronounced striations at the more pointed end, sporozoites are vermiform, measuring an average of 11.6 × 4.0 μm. The results of the sequencing for the 18S rDNA gene confirmed the species of Eimeria parasites found in the host (rabbits). The current parasite species is closely related to the previously described and deposited E. magna and deeply embedded in the genus Eimeria (family Eimeriidae). According to the findings, single oocyst molecular identification of Eimeria may be accomplished through consistent use of the morphological and molecular results. It is possible to draw the conclusion that the current research supplies relevant facts that help assess the potential infection and future control measures against rabbit coccidiosis to reduce the financial losses that can be incurred by the rabbit industry in Saudi Arabia.

A pH-dependent and charge selective covalent organic framework for removal of dyes from aqueous solutions

A novel imine-linked COF is synthesized by the condensation of 2,4,6-tris(4-aminophenyl)−1,3,5-triazine (TAPT) and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyisophthalaldehyde (HMIPA) under solvothermal conditions. This COF adsorbs preferentially the neutral dye Neutral Red (NR) over the positively charged dye Methylene Blue (MB) at pH 7, and the negatively charged Methyl Orange (MO) over the positively charged Methylene Blue (MB) at pH 3. The maximum adsorption capacities (qe) obtained within very short times (11–60 min) under optimized conditions were 108, 185 and 429 mg.g−1 for the MB, MO, and NR dyes, respectively. These adsorptions obey the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The prepared TAPT-HMIPA-COF is used successfully for the removal of the dyes from real water and treated wastewater samples. The adsorption data, BET, FTIR, and zeta potential measurements show that the electrostatic, π-π stacking and hydrogen bond interactions are responsible for the adsorption of organic dyes on the surface of the prepared COF. Due to recyclability, high capacity and efficiency for the adsorption of positive, negative and neutral organic dyes, this COF can be considered promising for simultaneous removal of various dyes from aqueous solutions at adjusted pHs.

Inferring Population HIV Viral Load From a Single HIV Clinic's Electronic Health Record: Simulation Study With a Real-World Example.

Population viral load (VL), the most comprehensive measure of the HIV transmission potential, cannot be directly measured due to lack of complete sampling of all people with HIV. A given HIV clinic's electronic health record (EHR), a biased sample of this population, may be used to attempt to impute this measure. We simulated a population of 10,000 individuals with VL calibrated to surveillance data with a geometric mean of 4449 copies/mL. We sampled 3 hypothetical EHRs from (A) the source population, (B) those diagnosed, and (C) those retained in care. Our analysis imputed population VL from each EHR using sampling weights followed by Bayesian adjustment. These methods were then tested using EHR data from an HIV clinic in Delaware. Following weighting, the estimates moved in the direction of the population value with correspondingly wider 95% intervals as follows: clinic A: 4364 (95% interval 1963-11,132) copies/mL; clinic B: 4420 (95% interval 1913-10,199) copies/mL; and clinic C: 242 (95% interval 113-563) copies/mL. Bayesian-adjusted weighting further improved the estimate. These findings suggest that methodological adjustments are ineffective for estimating population VL from a single clinic's EHR without the resource-intensive elucidation of an informative prior.

O-200 Association between proton pump inhibitors use and the risk of maternal infections during pregnancy and postpartum: a Swedish population-based cohort study

Abstract Study question Is there an association between use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and maternal infection during or after pregnancy and subsequent pregnancy complications? Summary answer Use of PPIs in the 3 months before pregnancy or during the first trimester was associated with an elevated risk of maternal infection. What is known already PPIs alter gastric acidity and the gut microbiome, which may increase infection risks in the general population, but their impact on pregnant women is unknown. Study design, size, duration We conducted a Nationwide population-based cohort study using data from Swedish healthcare registers. PPIs use was defined as ≥ 1 prescription fill of a PPI in the 90 days before the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) to the end of the 1st trimester (LMP+97 days). Maternal infections were identified from the start of the 2nd trimester to 90 days postpartum and classified as mild, moderate/ severe infections, and infection-related pregnancy complications. Participants/materials, setting, methods All pregnancies resulting in live or stillbirths between 2006 to 2019 in Sweden, identified using the Medical Birth Register. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate associations (relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)) between PPIs and maternal infection, adjusting for potential confounders including birth year, maternal age at delivery, early pregnancy BMI, comorbidities, smoking in early pregnancy, maternal country of birth, maternal education, and parity. Main results and the role of chance Among 1,510,560 pregnant women, 42,599 (2.8%) used PPIs, and use increased over the study period time from 1.5% in 2006 to 3.44% in 2019. Compared to pregnant women without PPI use, those with PPI use had higher rates and risks of any infection (49.7% vs 36.8%; adjusted RR 1.30, 95%CI 1.29-1.32), mild infection (20.9% vs 16.1%; adjusted RR 1.30, 95%CI 1.28-1.33), moderate to severe infection (23.4% vs 15%; adjusted RR 1.47, 95%CI 1.45-1.50), and infection-related pregnancy complications (11.2% vs 9.2; adjusted RR 1.12, 95%CI 1.09-1.15). Conclusion Our results show an association between PPI use and an elevated risk of infection in pregnant women. Next steps include the further investigation into the infection types. PPI therapy has benefits and drawbacks that should be carefully weighed, especially in patients who are prone to infections. While our study highlights potential concerns, it does not imply that all pregnant women are at increased risk. More research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and assess potential preventive measures. Prescribing PPIs during pregnancy should be determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient’s individual health state. We acknowledge the necessity for caution, particularly in vulnerable populations, and more research is needed to demonstrate clinical correlations. Limitations, reasons for caution Potential confounding by indication due to underlying morbidities cannot be fully accounted for. Further research is required to establish clinical connections. Wider implications of the findings Clinicians should carefully weigh the benefits of PPI therapy during pregnancy, particularly in patients prone to infections. Trial registration number not applicable

An Innovative Surface Modification Technique for Antifouling Polyamide Nanofiltration Membranes.

In this study, we developed a novel surface coating technique to modify the surface chemistry of thin film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes, aiming to mitigate organic fouling while maintaining the membrane's permselectivity. We formed a spot-like polyester (PE) coating on top of a polyamide (PA) TFC membrane using mist-based interfacial polymerization. This process involved exposing the membrane surface to tiny droplets carrying different concentrations of sulfonated kraft lignin (SKL, 3, 5, and 7 wt %) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC, 0.2 wt %). The main advantages of this surface coating technique are minimal solvent consumption (less than 0.05 mL/cm2) and precise control over interfacial polymerization. Zeta potential measurements of the coated membranes exhibited enhancements in negative charge compared to the control membrane. This enhancement is attributed to the unreacted carboxyl functional groups of the SKL and TMC monomers, as well as the presence of sulfonate groups (SO3) in the structure of SKL. AFM results showed a notable decrease in membrane surface roughness after polyester coating due to the slower diffusion of SKL to the interface and a milder reaction with TMC. In terms of fouling resistance, the membrane coated with a polyester composed of 7 wt % SKL showed a 90% flux recovery ratio (FRR) during Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) filtration, showing a 15% improvement compared to the control membrane (PA). PE-coated membranes provided stable separation performance over 40 h of filtration. The sodium chloride rejection and water flux displayed minimal variations, indicating the robustness of the coating layer. The final section of the presented study focuses on assessing the feasibility of scaling up and the cost-effectiveness of the proposed technique. The demonstrated ease of scalability and a notable reduction in chemical consumption establish this method as a viable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable solution for surface modification.

Cerebrovascular events after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Periprocedural stroke after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains a significant issue, which is associated with high morbidity, and is increasingly important as intervention shifts to younger and lower-risk populations. Over the last decade of clinical experience with TAVI, the incidence of periprocedural stroke has stayed largely unchanged, although it is prone to underreporting due to variation in ascertainment methods. The aetiology of stroke in TAVI patients is multifactorial, and changing risk profiles, differing study populations, and frequent device iterations have made it difficult to discern consistent risk factors. The objective of this review is to analyse and clarify the contemporary published literature on the epidemiology and mechanisms of neurological events in TAVI patients and evaluate potential preventive measures. This summary aims to improve patient risk assessment and refine case selection for cerebral embolic protection devices, while also providing a foundation for designing future trials focused on stroke prevention.

Mechanism and rate of anomalous extraction of chloride salts from water to 1,2-dichloroethane

Open circuit potential (OCP) measurements, potentiostatic pulse (PP) amperometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV), were used to investigate and to sort by rate the anomalous extraction of the chloride salts RCl of the cations R+ = tetrabutylammonium (TBA+), tetrapentylammonium (TPeA+), tetrahexylammonium (THexA+), tetraheptylammonium (THepA+) and bis(triphenyl-phosphoranylidene)ammonium (BA+) from water to 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). A tentative mechanism is proposed comprising (a) the diffusion-controlled transport of the ion-pairs (RCl)ip from the aqueous to the organic solvent phase providing a major contribution to the chloride extraction, (b) decomposition of the multiple ion-pairs or clusters (RCl)ipx, which are formed by agglomeration of the single ion-pairs (RCl)ip in the aqueous phase (w), and (c) the exponential decay of the ion-pairs (RCl)ip accumulated on the organic solvent side of the interface at the beginning of the OCP measurements. This model enables to simulate successfully the experimental time dependence of the chloride concentration. A conclusion is made that the effect of the composition of the organic solvent electrolyte RX, where X- = tetraphenylborate (TPB-) or tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate (TB-), on the rate and extent of the anomalous accumulation of the chloride anion in the phase (o) of the two-phase liquid system LiCl(w)/RX(o) can be related to the hydrophobicity of the electrolytes RCl and RX. The latter property can be characterized by the standard Gibbs energy of transfer from the aqueous (w) to the organic solvent (o) phase. The accumulation of the chloride anion in the phase (o) appears to be promoted by the decreasing value of the transfer Gibbs energy of RCl in the sequence TBACl > TPeACl > THexACl > THepACl > BACl, while the decreasing value of the transfer Gibbs energy of RX in the sequence TBATPB > TPeATPB > THexATPB > THepATPB > BATPB > BATB starts to block the cycle combining the energetically unfavorable extraction of RX from the phase (o) to the phase (w) with the energetically favorable extraction of RCl in the opposite direction. IR spectroscopy provides evidence of the formation of the water clusters in the organic solvent phase equilibrated with the aqueous phase in the presence of the tetraalkylammonium cation in both phases, which are supposed to drive the anomalous accumulation of the chloride anion in the phase (o).

Deciphering the application efficacy of titanium dioxide mediated calcareous nanocatalyst towards biodiesel production

The current investigation delved into the mechanistic insight, and cost-competent application of CaO-derived nanocataysts doped with TiO2 for enhanced biodiesel synthesis from castor oil. Calcium oxide-laden nanocatalysts were prepared via co-precipitation methodology with varying precursor and calcination temperatures concentrations. The engineered catalysts underwent characterization using XRD, SEM, particle size analysis, FTIR, EDX, UV-spectroscopy, and zeta potential measurements. Response surface methodology was implemented to create an experimental matrix for the transesterification. With methanol: oil ratio of 12:1, 5% catalyst weight, 2.25 h reaction interval, and a temperature of 60°C, the utmost biodiesel yield achieved was 94.27%. Furthermore, the ester-enriched biodiesel was confirmed through GC-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and FTIR analyses. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies revealed the endothermic and irreversible nature of the transesterification reaction. The fuel characteristics of the synthesized castor oil biodiesel are within acceptable ranges. The co-precipitation-derived nano TiO2@CaO catalyst validated impressive catalytic efficacy and stability, making it a proficient heterogeneous catalyst for augmented biodiesel manufacturing from castor oil. The projected expenses for 1 kg TiO2@CaO catalyst and 1 L COBD, obtained from cost assessments, were $ 6.37 and $ 0.578, respectively, showcasing their strong economic feasibility. Lastly, the study also offered future outlooks based on recognized gaps in the reported studies across a contemporary bibliometric investigation.

Synthesis of bare and modified zerovalent iron nanoparticles and their use in porous polylactic acid composites for methyl orange removal

The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of two types of immobilised zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) incorporated into a porous biopolymer matrix of polylactic acid (PLA) as a novel multifunctional composite system for potential use in dye wastewater treatment. The study involved the preparation of unmodified and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) modified nZVI material using liquid phase reduction method. Zeta potential measurement and UV-Vis spectrophotometry revealed that the ligand-modified nZVI particles exhibited better dispersion stability in aqueous media than bare particles. SEM-EDS analysis showed a higher oxidation state of the ligand-modified nZVI particles and good dispersion and adhesion of nZVI particles in the mesoporous structure of PLA matrix. The removal efficiency of methyl orange was determined spectrophotometrically where a high efficiency (above 90%) for high concentration of bare nZVI was detected. Its composites also showed an efficiency of 75 – 100%. However, modified nZVI showed much lower efficiency, especially after embedding in the PLA matrix.

Mapping the Imprints of Stellar and Active Galactic Nucleus Feedback in the Circumgalactic Medium with X-Ray Microcalorimeters

The Astro2020 Decadal Survey has identified the mapping of the circumgalactic medium (CGM; the gaseous plasma around galaxies) as a key objective. We explore the prospects for characterizing the CGM in and around nearby galaxy halos with a future large-grasp X-ray microcalorimeter. We create realistic mock observations from hydrodynamical simulations (EAGLE, IllustrisTNG, and Simba) that demonstrate a wide range of potential measurements, which will address the open questions in galaxy formation and evolution. By including all background and foreground components in our mock observations, we show why it is impossible to perform these measurements with current instruments, such as X-ray CCDs, and why only microcalorimeters will allow us to distinguish the faint CGM emission from the bright Milky Way (MW) foreground emission lines. We find that individual halos of MW mass can, on average and depending on star formation rate, be traced out to large radii, around R 500, and for larger galaxies even out to R 200, using prominent emission lines, such as O vii, or O viii. Furthermore, we show that emission-line ratios for individual halos can reveal the radial temperature structure. Substructure measurements show that it will be possible to relate azimuthal variations to the feedback mode of the galaxy. We demonstrate the ability to construct temperature, velocity, and abundance ratio maps from spectral fitting for individual galaxy halos, which reveal rotation features, active galactic nucleus outbursts, and enrichment.

Efficient Sb(Ⅲ) removal from printing and dyeing wastewater using TiCl4 as a potential coagulant instead of polyferric sulfate

With increasing health concerns and the tightening of discharge standards, there is growing demand for more efficient Sb(Ⅲ) removal from printing and dyeing wastewater (PDW). Currently, the most common coagulant used in Sb removal in industry is polyferric sulfate (PFS). However, the residual Fe ions in the effluent cause colorimetric problems and irreversibly damage the membrane components during the subsequent reverse osmosis treatment process. Therefore, identifying novel coagulants to replace PFS in the removal of Sb(Ⅲ) is necessary. In this study, TiCl4 was employed for in-situ hydrolysis to produce flocs for Sb(Ⅲ) removal in simulated and real PDW. TiCl4 exhibited an excellent performance compared to PFS in terms of dosage, turbidity, application pH, and anti-interference properties. Sb(Ⅲ) removal of 97.3% was realized at a dosage of 30mg/L and a final pH of 5.0 in slightly contaminated PDW, whereas PFS required a higher dosage, resulting in higher disposal costs. Furthermore, the application of TiCl4 led to lower turbidity and reduced secondary contamination. An investigation of the co-existing ions revealed that TiCl4 was considerably more tolerant than PFS toward PO43–, humic acid, and silicate at a lower concentration. Simultaneously, Sb(Ⅲ) was partially oxidised to Sb(Ⅴ) during removal, but TiCl4 exhibited lower oxidative properties. The results of PDW treatment indicated that TiCl4 could realize 85.6% Sb(Ⅲ) removal at a dosage of 30mg/L, and the pre-reduction of Sb(Ⅴ) to Sb(Ⅲ) was a safe, effective treatment. The results of zeta potential measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that Sb(Ⅲ) removal was mainly realised via chemical adsorption. Overall, this study provides a promising alternative material for use in practical Sb(Ⅲ) removal from PDW, particularly for reducing coagulation sludge, operational costs, and damage during the possible subsequent reverse osmosis process.

Determination and Prediction of Corrosion Integrity on RV Discovery Via Non-Destructive Test (NDT) And Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

Marine environment is a harsh and severe environment for a metal structure like vessel, oil rigs and port infrastructure. A regular survey or monitoring is needed to reduce a structure failure due to the corrosion. To be seaworthy, a vessel should undergo a regular survey under specified timeframe. This survey is time consuming and costly. An alternative approach is required to predict the structural integrity of a vessel. Artificial Neural Network is one of the current methods that can be used to predict the deterioration rate of a structure. Corrosion integrity of RV-Discovery was determined via plate thickness measurement, coating thickness measurement and potential measurement. The data obtained from these measurements were used in artificial neural network to predict the deterioration rate. The results indicate that the plate and coating thickness reduction percentage is within minimal range while the average potential changes show that the structure is in passivation state. It implies that the structural integrity is in a good state with no or minimal maintenance required. The prediction of deterioration rate also shows that Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) training algorithm was able to predict with over 95% of confidence and low mean square error.