Metal Rod Research Articles

Statistical Evaluation of the Impacts Detection Methodology (IDM) to Detect Critical Damage Occurrences during Quay Cranes Handling Operations

During various marine container handling operations, performed mainly in larger-scale container terminals, containers get damaged regularly. Our previous studies showed that each physical impact results in some form of physical deformation of the backbone structure. Even at low accelerations, the spreaders of the quay cranes impact the containers with enough force to substantially bend the metal parts of the corners of the containers, when additional hooking procedures are required. This means that the first time resulted in the metal rods hitting the metal frame with an average 15-ton mass at the average speed of 1.7 m/s. The metal rods of the hooking mechanisms’ impact areas of the containers are structurally important, and each impact surely damages the containers, diminishing their total operational time. We have already proposed the Impacts Detection Methodology (IDM) and its application system, tested in Klaipeda City port, and it proved to be efficient in real-time operations, detecting concurrent impacts with each new handling cycle. In this paper, we provide a summarisation of a larger number of detections using the IDM, and as a result of this analysis, we have detected that more impact events happen when containers are taken from the upper parts of the ship, in comparison to the ones taken from the shafts. Results suggest that more critical events occur due to operator actions and experiences working with the machinery, yet the same operators tend to make fewer impact mistakes taking the containers from the shafts as the vertical cell guides tend to direct the movements and lower the levels of the natural sway of the spreader inside closed environments. This surely damages the metal infrastructure of the shafts, as seen in our previous study, but minimizes the chances of secondary impacts occurring during hooking.

Role of NADPH Oxidase 4 in Corneal Endothelial Cells Is Mediated by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy.

Human corneal-endothelial cells (hCEnCs) are located on the inner layer of the cornea. Injury to CEnCs leads to permanent corneal edema, requiring corneal transplantation. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) has been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of CEnCs diseases. Thus, we investigated the role of NOX4 in CEnCs in this study. In an animal study, siRNA for NOX4 (siNOX4) or plasmid for NOX4 (pNOX4) was introduced into the corneal endothelium of rats by electroporation, using a square-wave electroporator (ECM830, Havard apparatus) to decrease or increase the expression of NOX4, respectively, and the rat corneas were cryoinjured through contact with a metal rod of 3 mm diameter frozen in liquid nitrogen for 10 min. The immunofluorescence staining of NOX4 and 8-OHdG showed that the levels of NOX4 and 8-OHdG were decreased in the siNOX4 group compared to the siControl, and increased in the pNOX4 group compared to the pControl at one week after treatment. Without cryoinjury, corneal opacity was more severe, and the density of CEnCs was lower, in pNOX4-treated rats compared to pControl. After cryoinjury, the corneas were more transparent, and the CEnC density was higher, in siNOX4-treated rats. The hCEnCs were cultured and transfected with siNOX4 and pNOX4. The silencing of NOX4 in hCEnCs resulted in a normal cell shape, higher viability, and higher proliferation rate than those transfected with the siControl, while NOX4 overexpression had the opposite effect. NOX4 overexpression increased the number of senescent cells and intracellular oxidative stress levels. NOX4 overexpression increased ATF4 and ATF6 levels, and nuclear translocation of XBP-1, which is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker, while the silencing of NOX4 had the opposite effect. Additionally, the mitochondrial membrane potential was hyperpolarized by the silencing of NOX4, and depolarized by NOX4 overexpression. The LC3II levels, a marker of autophagy, were decreased by the silencing of NOX4, and increased by NOX4 overexpression. In conclusion, NOX4 plays a pivotal role in the wound-healing and senescence of hCEnCs, by modulating oxidative stress, ER stress, and autophagy. The regulation of NOX4 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for regulating the homeostasis of CEnCs, and treating corneal-endothelial diseases.

Erratum: Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs.

Erratum: Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs.

Influence of metal capping thin film transistor with different Si concentration in ZnSnO

An amorphous metal-oxide semiconductor is emerging as a representative next-generation semiconductor material due to its high electric field mobility, excellent uniformity, and high transmittance in the visible region. The a-SZTO material shows high performance despite its In-free composition. In addition, Si acts as an excellent oxygen vacancy inhibitor to control its electrical properties and stability. Since Si has high binding energy with oxygen, the concentration of oxygen vacancies decreases as the composition of Si increases. As the Si composition increased due to the reduced oxygen vacancies, the mobility, which is an electrical characteristic, decreased from 27.90 cm2/Vs to 17.37 cm2/Vs, and the on current decreased from 7.0 × 10-4 A to 3.9 × 10-4 A, respectively. Amorphous metal-oxide limits improving its electrical properties due to oxygen vacancies by doping. According to the Si concentrations, a metal capping structure was applied to the a-SZTO thin-film transistor. In the metal capping structure, an additional metal rod is inserted between the source and drain electrodes which helps to improve the device characteristics with simple processing techniques. A systematic change was observed in the device by varying the length of the metal capping. The mobility from conventional to MC structures (40 μm) is improved from 27.90 to 86.25 cm2/Vs and 17.36 to 52.91 cm2/Vs for 0 and 1 wt% of Si concentrations, respectively. As for the stability characteristics for NBTS (Negative Bias Thermal Stress), it was confirmed that as the Si concentrations increased, the threshold voltage (Vth) shift decreased from 0.85 V to 0.71 V, and the stability characteristics improved. It has been confirmed that the stability characteristics of these unique channel characteristics (with different Si concentrations) are maintained even when MC TFT is applied. When an inverter logic circuit was manufactured, an excellent voltage gain of 7.47 was obtained using MC.

Digital reconstruction of a concrete pile from temperature data and boundary element formulation

This paper presents an application of the boundary element method (BEM) in engineering to numerically analyse the integrity of cast-in-place concrete foundations, as in the case of concrete piles, using a developed system composed of an artificial heat source, thermometers coupled with metal reinforcement and mathematical algorithms. This type of integrity monitoring of concrete piles is present in recent articles where temperature measurements occur only during the cement curing process, related to the cement hydration reaction in a time interval of a few days. However, the innovation proposed in this study refers to the possibility of continuous monitoring of the pile, considering the installation of an artificial heat source, whose temperature measurements will allow evaluating the positioning of the metal reinforcement inside the pile, in order to identify possible concreting anomalies and/or exposure of metal rods to the ground, where metal corrosion can be more pronounced. The diffusion equation with heat generation and the D-BEM formulation is used to simulate a cross-section of the set of soil and concrete pile with metal reinforcement in different situations. Details on the formulation of boundary elements used, as well as numerical results on the feasibility of the methodology developed to monitor the integrity of cast-in-place concrete foundations, are presented below.

Temporary arthrodesis through static spacer implantation in two-stage treatment of periprosthetic joint infections of the knee.

Treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection of the knee requires the removal of the implant and thorough debridement, with reimplantation in asecond stage surgery. Intramedullary spacers can be helpful during the interval between explantation and reimplantation and provide atemporary arthrodesis which fixes the knee in extension preserving leg length and administers local antibiotic therapy. Periprosthetic joint infection of the knee with large bony defects and severe infection of the native joint with advanced destruction/infiltration of the cartilage and bone and/or ligament insufficiency. Suspected antibiotic resistance of the microbiological pathogen to local antibiotic drugs, incompliant patient, and known allergy to bone cement or antibiotic. After implant removal, suitable metal rods are coated with antibiotic-loaded bone cement and inserted into the cleaned intramedullary canals of femur and tibia. Rods are joined at the joint line with aconnector and joint space is filled with more bone cement to achieve temporary and very stable arthrodesis. Partial weight-bearing and no flexion/extension while spacer is in place; second stage reimplantation as soon as infection is controlled. Complications related to the spacer were rare (5.3%). Reimplantation of an implant was possible in 95 of 113patients (84%), of those, 23 (20%) received an arthrodesis. Of the 95patients that were reimplanted, 14 showed signs of recurrent infection. Mean time to last follow-up was 15.6months post reimplantation. Mean knee pain was 2.9/10; overall function was good; 6patients had an extension lag; mean total range of motion was 88°.

Multifunctional Acoustic Device Based on a Phononic Crystal with Independently Controlled Asymmetric Rotating Rods

A reconfigurable phononic crystal (PnC) is proposed where elastic properties can be modulated by rotation of asymmetric solid scatterers immersed in water. The scatterers are metallic rods with a cross section of ${120}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ circular sector. Orientation of each rod is independently controlled by an external electric motor that allows continuous variation of the local scattering parameters and dispersion of sound in the entire crystal. Due to asymmetry of the scatterers, the crystal band structure possesses highly anisotropic band gaps. Synchronous rotation of all the scatterers by a definite angle changes the regime of reflection to the regime of transmission and vice versa. The same mechanically tunable structure functions as a gradient index medium by incremental, angular reorientation of rods along both row and column, and, subsequently, can serve as a tunable acoustic lens, an acoustic beam splitter, and finally an acoustic beam steerer.

Effects of pulsed gliding arc plasma on non-premixed CH4/CO2– air flame stability

Effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) addition and pulsed gliding arc (PGA) plasma on methane (CH4) flame stability and pollutant emissions are investigated in this paper. Two main parts are reported: the effects of CO2 addition to the fuel and the impact of PGA plasma on the characteristics of non-premixed CH4/CO2-air flames in a coaxial swirl burner. The burner consists of 2 concentric tubes, the central tube supplies the CH4 flow and the periphery one supplies the airflow. In the central tube, a metal rod is used as a cathode. To produce the PGA plasma, two other electrodes are symmetrically placed around the central one to obtain two PGA plasma zones in the stabilization area of flame. The combustor is a parallelepiped chamber, with a 0.48 m square cross section and 1 m height equipped with six windows on each side. This work primarily focuses on pollutant emissions (NOx and CO), flame structures, and stability. OH* chemiluminescence measurements are used to describe the structure and stability of the flame providing information on the flame lengths and lift-off heights. The lift-off heights and the flame lengths are determined as a function of the CO2 concentrations, ranging from 0% to 50% in the fuel, at a fixed swirl number and equivalence ratio. The results show that CO2 addition to the fuel changes significantly the flame shape and its behavior. The flame becomes more unstable at high CO2 percentages. CO2 addition dilutes reactants, reduces NOx production, and increases CO concentrations in the flue gases. To overcome the instabilities problems due to the addition of CO2, the PGA is used and investigated with different parameters of plasma and flame. PGA plasma is generated by a DC pulsed power generator with HV pulse duration of few microseconds. It is observed that the presence of PGA plasma decreases flame instabilities and reduces CO concentration in the flue gases.

Metal-Loaded Acoustically Actuated Piezoelectric Antenna and Its Radiation Efficiency Limit

A metal-loading method (ML) is proposed in this paper to increase effective length, near-field magnitude and radiation efficiency for acoustically actuated piezoelectric antenna (PEA). Field-based circuit model method (FBCM) is utilized to characterize the metal-loaded piezoelectric antenna (MLPEA) by introducing antenna fields into piezoelectric equations and impedance analysis at boundary. Furthermore, current distribution within PE cylinder and on loaded metal rod is calculated by FEM method and formulated with piecewise functions. And, antenna effective length is evaluated with different loaded metal lengths and effects of the loaded metal are analyzed on antenna near-fields and radiation efficiency. All the methods are validated by measurement of a demonstrated MLPEA on a precise testing vehicle with frequency error of 0.05% and near-field magnitude error of 0.97dB. Finally, maximum increase of 4.6dB for near-field magnitude, and 10 times for radiation efficiency is obtained for PEA with loaded metal length of 0.8m. Different loss mechanisms in MLPEA are also analyzed and the radiation efficiency limit for PEA, as estimated by FBCM, is much larger than that of metallic antenna when <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">ka</i> is less than 0.1, leaving far more room for radiation efficiency elevation of PEA for the-state-of-art.

Relationship between surgical field contamination by patient's exhaled air and the state of the drapes during eye surgery

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in facemask use. Consequently, it has been reported that exhaled airflow toward the eyes can cause the dispersal of bacteria into the eyes, potentially increasing the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis. In addition to wearing a facemask, gaps between the surgical drape and skin can also direct exhaled airflow toward the eyes. Here, we aimed to examine how the risk of contamination varies depending on the state of the drapes. We used a carbon dioxide imaging camera to visualize changes in exhaled airflow under different drape conditions and a particle counter to evaluate changes in the number of particles around the eye. The results revealed airflow present around the eye and a significant increase in the number of particles when the nasal side of the drape was detached from the skin. However, when a metal rod called “rihika” was used to create space above the body, the airflow and number of particles were significantly reduced. Thus, if drape coverage becomes incomplete during surgery, exhaled airflow toward the eye may contaminate the surgical field. On hanging up the drape, airflow can escape in the direction of the body, potentially preventing contamination.

A numerical and experimental comparison of heat transfer in a quasi two-dimensional packed bed

Heat transfer plays a major role in many industrial processes taking place in packed beds. An accurate and reliable simulation of the heat exchange between particles is therefore crucial for a reliable operation and to optimize the processes in the bed. The discrete ordinates method (DOM) provides an established numerical technique to model radiative heat transfer in granular media that offers the possibility to consider the directional dependence of the radiation propagation. In this work, DOM is compared with Monte Carlo ray tracing, which provides an alternative method for heat transfer simulations. Geometrically simple configurations are used to investigate the influence of the angular discretization on the accuracy of the results and the computation time in both methods. The obtained insights are then transferred to a more complex configuration of a quasi two-dimensional test rig consisting of metal rods for which also experimental results are available. Our results show that both DOM and Monte Carlo ray tracing allow for an accurate simulation of heat transfer in packed beds. Monte Carlo ray tracing requires thereby computation times that are surprisingly competitive (although still somewhat slower) compared to DOM and allows for an easier computation of highly accurate reference solutions. In our preliminary comparison to the experimental test rig, Monte Carlo ray tracing also provides the advantage that it can more easily model highly specular materials such as stainless steel. Both methods are comparable for diffuse materials such as magnesium oxide.

Invar alloy metallization of Al2O3 substrate by friction stirring

This study examines the potential of a friction stirring surface treatment for the invar alloy metallization of an Al2O3 substrate. An invar foil with a low coefficient of thermal expansion was rolled to use as a tool, mounted on a drilling machine, and pressed against the Al2O3 substrate while being rotated. An invar film was formed rapidly on the Al2O3 substrate by this friction stirring method in air. The tool shape affected film formation, and the tool wrapped in foil was more easily heated in the contact area between the tool and the substrate than simple metal rods, resulting in easier film formation.

Improvement of Response Time and Heat-Transfer Capacity of Metamaterial Absorber for Terahertz Detector Applications

We have introduced a THz metamaterial absorber (MMA) system that consists of a metal disk antenna connected to successive dielectric and metal layers via a metal rod. The heat-transfer speed and capacity of the proposed platform with a metal rod inserted through the dielectric layer have been numerically studied for the first time in this work. The proposed THz MMA system can improve the heat-transfer capacity of 0.7 K/s compared to without a metal rod situation. The simulation proves that heat transfer can be achieved in the proposed absorber less than <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10 ~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> times compared to without a metal rod case. The simulation results indicate that the absorption strength of the MMA is almost independent of the rod depth. This detector system will be remarkably beneficial for imaging applications where fast heat-signal conversion is necessary.

3D printing of fine-grained aluminum alloys through extrusion-based additive manufacturing: Microstructure and property characterization

• A new extrusion-based solid-state metal additive manufacturing method was developed. • The new method enables direct deposition of fine-grained aluminum alloy without melting. • The new method uses off-the-shelf metal rods rather than pricy powders as feedstock. • The printing process was completed in an open-air environment, avoiding costly inert or vacuum conditions. • The printed 6061 aluminum alloys yield the strength and ductility comparable to wrought 6061 aluminum alloys. Additive manufacturing (AM) has the potential to transform manufacturing by enabling previously unthinkable products, digital inventory and delivery, and distributed manufacturing. Here we presented an extrusion-based metal AM method (refer to “SoftTouch” deposition in the filed patent) that is suitable for making the metal feedstock flowable prior to the deposition through dynamic recrystallization induced grain refinement at elevated temperatures. The flowable metal was extruded out of the printer head like a paste for building dense metal parts with fine equiaxed grains and wrought mechanical properties. Off-the-shelf metal rods were used as feedstock and the printing process was completed in an open-air environment, avoiding pricy powders and costly inert or vacuum conditions. The resulting multi-layer deposited 6061 aluminum alloys yield the strength and ductility comparable to wrought 6061 aluminum alloys after the same T6 heat treatment. The extrusion-based metal AM method can also be advanced as green manufacturing technologies for fabricating novel alloys and composites, adding novel features to existing parts, repairing damaged metal parts, and welding advanced metals for supporting sustainable manufacturing, in addition to being developed into a cost-effective manufacturing process for the fabrication of dense metal of complex structural forms.

Improving the Localization Accuracy of Dipole Sound Sources Using Planar Microphone Arrays

A method has been developed for tuning the microphone array for optimal visualization of acoustic dipoles. Acoustic dipoles were generated under experimental conditions in an anechoic chamber using a subsonic air flow around a thin metal rod and thin rectangular plate. To confirm the operability of this approach, we compared the visualization maps obtained using the approach with the results obtained with a similar array class tuned in the traditional monopole method. The developed approach, which adapts the array to the dipole radiation model and modifies the transfer functions that take into account the influence of the incidence pattern of sound waves, demonstrates an increase in the array’s dynamic range with optimal microphone placement.

Effect of Extra Hydrophobic Resin Layer on Bonding of Universal Adhesive Systems to Enamel.

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of solvent in universal adhesives (UA) and the application of an extra layer of hydrophobic bonding resin on enamel shear bond strengths (SBS). Crowns of 224 bovine mandibular incisors were embedded in acrylic resin, wet-polished up to 600-grit silicon carbide paper and assigned to 3 UAs with different solvents (n=32): ethanol-based UA (ADU, AdheSE Universal, Ivoclar Vivadent); isopropanol-based UA (PBU, Prime&Bond Universal, Dentsply Sirona); and acetone-based UA (OPT, OptiBond Universal, Kerr Co). The same UAs were also applied with an extra layer of a hydrophobic bonding resin (HLB, Heliobond, Ivoclar Vivadent): ADU + HLB; PBU + HLB; and OPT + HLB. HLB alone was used as control. Enamel was etched with 37.5% H3PO4 (Kerr Gel Etchant, Kerr Co) for 15 seconds, rinsed with water, and air dried. UAs were applied according to the respective manufacturer's instructions. After adhesive application, composite cylinders (Filtek Z250, 3M Oral Care) were built up and light-cured (40 seconds/increment, 40 J/cm2) keeping the light tip in contact with the mold. Specimens were stored in water for 24 hours (24H) or for 6 months (6M). A knife-edged metallic rod (Ø=2.8-mm semicircular notch) loaded the composite cylinders until fracture. Mode of failure was analyzed with optical microscopy (40×). Statistics included twoway analysis of variance (ANOVA; adhesive strategy and water storage) and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc test (α=95%). Mean enamel SBS ranged from 3.6 (±2.2) MPa (HLB/6M) to 24.7 (±7.1) MPa (ADU + HLB/6M). ANOVA revealed significant differences for adhesive strategy (p≤0.001) but no significant differences for water storage (p>0.05). All UAs resulted in similar mean enamel SBS with or without an extra layer of HLB at 24H. After 6M, only ADU resulted in higher enamel SBS when an extra layer of HLB was applied. All UAs resulted in higher mean enamel SBS than HLB (control). Most failures were adhesive exception for PBU/HLB/6M, which had mostly mixed failures. UAs resulted in statistically higher enamel SBS than the nonsolvated hydrophobic bonding resin (control), regardless of the solvent in their composition. Application of an extra layer of hydrophobic bonding resin over UAs did not improve mean enamel SBS for isopropanol- and acetone-based UAs but did improve mean enamel SBS for the ethanol-based UA after 6M. Resin composite bonding to enamel using a hydrophobic bonding resin alone is not recommended.

Assessment of Structural Residual Stresses by the LM-Hardness Method in Metal Rod Constructions

Assessment of Structural Residual Stresses by the LM-Hardness Method in Metal Rod Constructions

BIOMECHANICAL SUBSTANTIATION OF THE CHOICE OF THE METHOD FOR FIXING UNSTABLE FRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL TIBIA

Aim: To justify the choice of a method for fixing unstable proximal tibial fractures (PTF), to conduct computer simulation of stresses on various metal fixators. Materials and Methods: at the initial stage, a solid 3D model of the lower leg has been created using Solid Works, on the background of anatomical models and CT scans. The model contained the following elements: tibia and fibula, interosseous membrane, ligaments of the proximal and distal tibia syndesmosis, and a modeled proximal tibial fracture. We have subsequently studied 4 models of bone fragments’ fixation with LCP plates and an intramedullary blocking metal rod. Further calculations were performed using the finite element method. Results: computer simulations of stresses on various metal fixators applied to fix a PTF convincingly proved that blocked intramedullary osteosynthesis (BIOS) and LCP plates placed bilaterally are feasible for this category of patients. Conclusions: Deformities and loads observed in the metal fixator, bone tissue and ligamentous apparatus run within normal limits. They are statistically significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in models of bone fragments’ fixation with IM nailing and bilaterally placed LCP plates. This evidences the adequate stability of bone fragments’ and these methods of osteosynthesis as a whole, compared to the stains in the same elements of modelled fixation using only one plate – medially or laterally. The results of the study may serve as the background for the development of an algorithm for surgical treatment and rehabilitation of patients with PTF.

Influence of end friction confinement on dynamic mechanical properties and damage evolution of concrete by coupled DEM-FDM method

This paper presents a quantitative evaluation of the effect of end friction on the dynamic mechanical response and damage evolution of concrete based on the coupled Discrete Element Method (DEM) - Finite Difference Method (FDM) method. Considering the heterogeneity of concrete, a three-phase meso-scale model of concrete (mortar, aggregate and interfacial transition zone) is constructed by DEM, and the crushability, real geometry and random distribution of aggregates are considered by combining 3D scanning techniques and the “ball-clump-cluster” method. Meanwhile, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device is constructed by FDM, and the interface deformation coordination between the concrete sample and metal rods is realized by coupling algorithm. On this basis, the quantitative effects of end friction on the stress–strain response, dynamic increase factor (DIF), damage distribution and failure mode of concrete are investigated. The results indicate that the dynamic compressive strength increases significantly when the interfacial friction coefficient μi increases from 0 to 0.1, and the interfacial friction enhancement effect weakens significantly when >0 μi.1. With the increase of strain rate, the friction contribution coefficient tends to decrease. The end friction has a significant effect on the distribution of microcracks in the axial direction. The end friction confinement changes the local stress state and damage distribution of concrete, which is beneficial to improve the compressive strength of concrete.

Periodic band formation of Fe(OH)3 precipitate through reaction–diffusion–reaction processes

This paper reports a new class of periodic banding of Fe(OH)3 precipitate through reaction–diffusion–reaction (RDR) processes in agarose gel sandwiched between two metal rods (Ti and Fe) with cyclic alternating voltages. In the RDR processes, electrochemical reactions at metal rods to generate reactant ions, diffusion of the ions influenced by the electric field in the gel, and reactions of the ions to form precipitates were coupled to generate periodic bands of Fe(OH)3 precipitates at the cathode side. The banding morphologies, spatial Fe distribution, and microscopic morphologies of the precipitates were investigated by visual inspection, Fe Kα intensity distribution measurements, and scanning electron microscopy observations. The periodic banding strongly depended on the applied voltages, the periods for voltage alternation, the cycle number (NC), and the length of the gel column. Periodic bands resembling Liesegang bands were most clearly observed with high reproducibility for 50 mm gel columns under the applied cyclic alternating voltages of 3 and 1 V for 1 and 4 h, respectively. The number of the periodic bands formed in this system was generally given by NC—NC1 + 1, where NC1 is the cycle number where the first band emerges. These periodic bands contained significant amounts of Fe atoms that were almost uniformly distributed in the agarose gel, strongly supporting the formation of gelatinous Fe(OH)3 precipitates in the bands.