Minimal Disparity Research Articles

Ensemble Monte Carlo transport studies of zinc-blende cuprous halides

We present a comprehensive theoretical analysis of intrinsic high-field transport in cuprous halides: CuCl, CuBr, and CuI. Ensemble Monte Carlo transport simulations were performed based on analytical approximations of the multi-valley and three-band electronic structure model. The deformation potentials, extracted from carrier–phonon interaction matrix elements calculated via the Wannier function approach, were employed to determine scattering rates. Our detailed analysis uncovers intriguing transport characteristics based on the complex valence band structures, resulting from spin–orbit coupling and band inversion. Remarkably, the hole mobility in CuI was exceptionally high, reaching up to 193 cm2/V s, while CuCl exhibited unusual temperature dependencies in hole transport. Additionally, the electron mobility in CuI was found to be 254 cm2/V s, indicating a minimal disparity between carrier mobilities, which is advantageous for optoelectronic applications.

A comparative investigation of neutron and gamma radiation interaction properties of zircaloy-2 and zircaloy-4 with consideration of mechanical properties

Abstract This study has established the radiation shielding efficacy of zircaloy-2 and zircaloy-4 over a wide spectrum of energy levels. Using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) method, the gamma and neutron transmission factors (TF and nTF) were calculated for various energy levels. Zircaloy-2 demonstrated the highest gamma-ray absorption capacity and the lowest neutron absorption capacity among the investigated alloys. The results indicate that zircaloy-2 and zircaloy-4 have nearly the same neutron transmission characteristics. Although many studies have examined the structure and physical characteristics of these materials, there has been a lack of Monte Carlo simulations to comprehensively investigate the correlation between gamma absorption, neutron absorption parameters, and mechanical qualities. This research aims to examine the ability of zirconium and its zircaloy-2 and zircaloy-4 alloys, which are critical materials used in the nuclear industry, to absorb gamma and neutron radiation over a broad spectrum of frequencies. According to the results, zircaloy-2 has the best ability to absorb secondary gamma rays and the highest level of resistance to them. Despite the minimal disparity in the nTF between the two alloys, simulation results have shown that zircaloy-2 has a higher level of neutron transmittance. These results have the potential to expedite the development of novel materials with enhanced attributes for various applications.

Streamline-directed tunable deterministic lateral displacement chip: A numerical approach to efficient particle separation

In conventional Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD), the migration behavior of a particle of specific size is determined by the critical diameter (Dc), which is predefined by the device's geometry. In contrast to the typical approach that alters the angle between the pillar array and fluid streamlines by modifying the geometrical parameters, this study introduces a novel perspective that focuses on changing the direction of the streamlines. The proposed technique offers a tunable DLD chip featuring a straightforward design that allows for easy fabrication. This chip features one completely horizontal pillar array with two bypass channels on the top and bottom of the DLD chamber. The width of these bypass channels changes linearly from their inlet to their outlet. Two design configurations are suggested for this chip, characterized by either parallel or unparallel slopes of the bypass channels. This chip is capable of generating a wide range of Dc values by manipulating two distinct control parameters. The first control parameter involves adjusting the flow rates in the two bypass channels. The second control parameter entails controlling the slopes of these bypass channels. Both of these parameters influence the direction of particle-carrying streamlines resulting in a change in the path-line of the particles. By changing the angle of streamlines with pillar array, the Dc can be tuned. Prior to determining the Dc for each case, an initial estimation was made using a Python script that utilized the streamline coordinates. Subsequently, through FEM modeling of the particle trajectories, precise Dc values were ascertained and compared with the estimated values, revealing minimal disparities. By adjusting the flow rate and slope of the bypass channels, maximum Dc ranges of 4–10 μm and 8–13 μm can be achieved, respectively. This innovative chip enables the attainment of Dc values spanning from 0.5 to 14 μm.

Abstract C126: Disparities in time-to-treat insured patients with newly diagnosed cancer in a vertically integrated healthcare system

Abstract Purpose. After a cancer diagnosis, delays in initiating treatment may impact treatment response, disease progression, adverse health events, and overall survival. Race and socioeconomic status (SES) may be factors in initiating cancer treatment. Complicating this issue is the lack of insurance or underinsurance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of race/ethnicity and SES on time to treatments for insured patients diagnosed with cancer in a vertically integrated healthcare system. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional nested study within a cohort of patients diagnosed with cancer between 2010 and 2018 from Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC), a vertically integrated healthcare system. Patients of all ages and all cancer anatomical sites were included. Patients with in-situ cancers were excluded, with no other exclusion criteria. The main independent variables are race/ethnicity and SES, and the dependent variable is time to initial treatment. All information was pulled from the KPSC Cancer Registry, including race/ethnicity, and treatments (surgical; radiation; chemotherapy; immunotherapy; hormonal). SES was categorized into quintiles based on geocoded expected income using home addresses from census tract data. For each patient, we calculated days from diagnosis to first treatment. Results. We identified 153,270 patients of all ages with cancers of all anatomical sites diagnosed between 2010 and 2018, of which 125,943 received treatment. When examining racial groups, the mean time to treatment for White, Black, Hispanic, Asian/PI, and other patients was 42.5, 52.6, 44.3, 44.1, and 41.2 days, respectively. For White patients, mean time to treatment was 42.4 days in the lower 20% income quintile and 42.7 days in the top 20% income quintile. For Black patients, mean time to treat was 53.9 days in the lower 20% income quintile and 52.8 days in the top 20% income quintile. For Hispanic patients, mean time to treat was 45.8 days in the lower 20% income quintile and 42.1 days in the top 20% income quintile. For Asian/PI patients, mean time to treat was 44.1 days in the lower 20% income quintile and 43.5 days in the top 20% income quintile. For other patients, mean time to treat was 51.4 days in the lower 20% income quintile and 39.2 days in the top 20% income quintile. Within each SES quintile, Black patients consistently started cancer treatment later than other racial/ethnic groups. Conclusion. We found minimal disparities in time to initial treatment based on SES in this vertically integrated system of care. Within each of the White, Black, and Asian racial groups, the difference in time to treatment between the highest and lowest SES groups was less than 2%. This difference was closer to 7% in Hispanic patients. Additional work is necessary to elucidate reasons why Black patients initiate cancer treatments later than other racial groups and if this affects recurrence or survival. Citation Format: Robert Cooper, Reina Haque, Andrea Young, Zimin Zhuang. Disparities in time-to-treat insured patients with newly diagnosed cancer in a vertically integrated healthcare system [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C126.

The Advanced Analysis of Deep Drawing Processes for 1-Inch Diameter Dop-Pipe Caps: Simulation and Experimental Insights

This article investigates the challenges and solutions within the deep drawing process, focusing on issues like cracks and deviations from standard thickness dimensions. Utilizing both experimental methods with a 40-ton power press machine and numerical simulations via ABAQUS software, the study uses SPCC-SD steel to produce a Dop-pipe 1-inch diameter pipe cap. Key findings reveal significant correlations in elements E-90 and E-91, with minimal disparities of around 4.5% between experimental and numerical approaches, showcasing the accuracy of numerical predictions. Notably, the numerical simulations identify potential issues such as increased thickness due to higher axial forces, providing valuable insights for process optimization and defect reduction. By advancing the deep drawing process and extending its applicability to broader material-forming applications, this research contributes significantly to enhancing production efficiency and improving manufacturing practices, emphasizing the importance of simulation-driven approaches in achieving precision and quality enhancement in complex manufacturing processes.

Design of robust active suspension system for performance improvement and vibration control of railway vehicles: An H∞andμ-synthesis perspective

The ride comfort of a high-speed railway vehicle is a significant factor in assessing its performance. Despite having sound suspension systems and efficient control algorithms, the suspension system performance deteriorates with time. Hence, in this paper, a robust active vibration control system used in railway vehicles has been proposed. For analysis, a 27-degree of freedom (DOF) model consisting of structured and unstructured uncertainties has been considered. Two different robust control techniques, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-synthesis integrated with the Kalman estimator, have been adopted. The robust stability and the robust performance of the proposed control strategies have been evaluated using the structured singular values. The time and frequency domains of the closed loop perturbed responses to random track disturbances are shown. The root mean square (RMS) values of the accelerations of the car bodies are used to compare the suggested control schemes to the passive system. The primary focus of this study is to examine the level of ride comfort provided by the railway vehicle. To achieve this, simulated findings are compared and verified against experimental data collected and reported by the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO). The observational data demonstrates that the results obtained from the suggested control methods are in close agreement with the experimental findings, with a minimal disparity ranging from 2.36% to 8.81% for lateral motion and 2.84% to 6.30% for vertical motion. Also, the % improvement of RMS values with [Formula: see text]-synthesis controller confirms the enhancement of the ride comfort as compared to other techniques.

Enhancing postoperative analgesia in carotid endarterectomy patients: The potential of ultrasound-guided carotid sheath block combined with superficial cervical plexus block: A randomised trial.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a common procedure conducted under regional anaesthesia, providing real-time cerebral function monitoring. Many different combinations of regional cervical blocks exist, and most offer adequate analgesia in intraoperative and postoperative recovery. This research compares a superficial cervical plexus block (SCB) alone and combined with an ultrasound (US)-guided carotid sheath block (CSB). The primary objective was to explore the length of the sensory block after combining SCB and CSB. Patients scheduled for nonemergency CEA surgery were randomised into two cohorts. The Subject group (28 participants) received US-guided CSB and SCB. The Control group (31 participants) received only an SCB. Both groups received 0.5% levobupivacaine (2 mg/kg) along with 2% lidocaine (2 mg/kg). The sensory block time and its initiation, analgesia and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were recorded before and after the block. The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was used to evaluate analgesia every 2 h for 12 h post block. Analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U or log-rank test was used to analyse the distinction of selected variables. The demographic characteristics were comparable across the cohorts. The Subject group demonstrated a significantly accelerated onset of sensory block (P = 0.029) and an extended time to first analgesia (P = 0.003). The sensory block was also substantially extended in the Subject group (P = 0.040). Postoperative pain (NPRS ≥1) within the first 12 h was more recurrent in the Control group (P = 0.048). NLR showed minimal disparity between the groups (P = 0.125). Combining SCB and US-guided CSB effectively and safely extends postoperative analgesia for CEA surgery.

Who can predict farmers’ choices in risky gambles?

Abstract Risk is a pervasive factor in agriculture and a subject of great interest to agricultural economists. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the knowledge held by farm advisors, students, and economists with regards to farmers’ risk preferences. Misconceptions about farmers’ willingness to take risks could lead to misguided advice. This study builds upon a recent multinational endeavor that employed a multiple price list to assess risk preferences among European farmers. We expand this research by gathering predictions for farmers’ risk preferences from 561 farm advisors, students, and economists. Our objectives are threefold: firstly, we explore variations as to how accurately participants can predict risk preferences in different specializations; secondly, we compare the predictive accuracy of different groups of forecasters; and thirdly, we assess whether modifying incentive mechanisms can improve the accuracy of predictions. Whereas our findings reveal substantial variation in individual predictions, the averages closely align with the observed responses of farmers. Notably, the most accurate predictions were provided by a sample of experimental economics researchers. Furthermore,predictions for different production systems exhibit minimal disparities. Introducing incentive schemes, such as a tournament structure, where the best prediction receives a reward, or a high-accuracy system, where randomly selected participants are compensated for the accuracy of their predictions, does not significantly impact accuracy. Further research and exploration are needed to identify the most reliable sources of advice for farmers.

An Empirical Study on the Upcycling of Glass Bottles into Hydrocyclone Separators

Cyclones are pivotal in mechanical process engineering and crucial in the complex field of separation technology. Their robustness and compact spatial requirements render them universally applicable and versatile across various industrial domains. Depending on the utilized fluid and field of application, both gas-based cyclones and hydrocyclones (HCs) are well established. Regarding HC design, enduring elongated flat cones have seen minimal alterations in shape and structure since their introduction over more than a hundred years ago. Experimental investigations regarding unconventional cone designs within scientific studies remain the exception. Therefore, this study focuses on alternative geometric configurations of the separation chambers and highlights their impact on separation and energy efficiency. To achieve this objective, different geometric shapes are investigated and retrofitted into HCs. The geometric foundation is derived from upcycled glass bottles. The repurposed bottles with a volume of 750 mL are used in conjunction with an inlet part, following the established Rietema design. Experimental tests are conducted with dilute phase separation, using 0.1–200 µm test particles in water. Comparisons between a bottle-based HC and a conventional Rietema design were conducted, establishing a benchmark against the standard. The findings revealed a noticeable correlation between separation efficiency and cone geometry. Conical designs demonstrated enhanced separation, particularly at lower volume flows. At the highest volume flow of 75 L min−1, the best performing bottle cyclones showed separation efficiencies of 78.5%, 78.4% and 77.9% and therefore are in a competitive range with 78.0% efficiency, achieved using the commercial Rietema design. Minimal disparities in cut sizes were observed in terms of separation grade efficiency among the models tested. Variations in separation efficiency and fractional efficiency curves indicated nuanced differences in classification efficiency.

An Improved Dempster–Shafer Evidence Theory with Symmetric Compression and Application in Ship Probability

Auxiliary information sources, a subset of target recognition data sources, play a significant role in target recognition. The reliability and importance of these sources can vary, thereby affecting the effectiveness of the data provided. Consequently, it is essential to integrate these auxiliary information sources prior to their utilization for identification. The Dempster-Shafer (DS) evidence theory, a well-established data-fusion method, offers distinct advantages in handling and combining uncertain information. In cases where conflicting evidence sources and minimal disparities in fundamental probability allocation are present, the implementation of DS evidence theory may demonstrate deficiencies. To address these concerns, this study refined DS evidence theory by introducing the notion of invalid evidence sources and determining the similarity weight of evidence sources through the Pearson correlation coefficient, reflecting the credibility of the evidence. The significance of evidence is characterized by entropy weights, taking into account the uncertainty of the evidence source. The proposed asymptotic adjustment compression function adjusts the basic probability allocation of evidence sources using comprehensive weights, leading to symmetric compression and control of the influence of evidence sources in data fusion. The simulation results and their application in ship target recognition demonstrate that the proposed method successfully incorporates basic probability allocation calculations for ship targets in various environments. In addition, the method effectively integrates data from multiple auxiliary information sources to produce accurate fusion results within an acceptable margin of error, thus validating its efficacy. The superiority of the proposed method is proved by comparing it with other methods that use the calculated weights to weight the basic probability allocation of the evidence sources.

Hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning for high‐throughput phenotyping in winter wheat

AbstractUncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a highly successful and efficient method for phenotyping in plant breeding programs. This study explored using UAVs equipped with hyperspectral sensors to expedite breeders' decision‐making in selecting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes with improved growth, biomass, leaf area, and canopy cover (CC). The hyperspectral image processing pipeline utilized for image analysis was described. The study was conducted with 2145 genotypes of winter wheat, and UAV‐based hyperspectral measurements were used to predict the phenotype. Reflectance measurements were taken at narrow wavelength intervals, spanning 400–2500 nm. For ground truthing, samples were collected from different parts of the field. These samples were used to evaluate various plant attributes, including CC, leaf area index, plant height, and dry biomass. The hyperspectral data were employed for computation of multiple vegetation indices (VIs), and to improve the prediction of plant traits, we employed partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forest (RF) regression techniques on both the complete set of hyperspectral variables and the top 10 derived VIs. Our results show that using complete hyperspectral variables results in superior r, R2, and lower root mean square error for both models. We conclude that relying solely on linear regression models with VIs may not always result in accurate predictions of plant traits in winter wheat. However, combining these indices with the RF and PLSR algorithm significantly enhances the prediction accuracy. However, the performance of both PLSR and RF models shows minimal disparity, with only slight differences observed. This highlights the importance of utilizing appropriate machine learning algorithms for improved prediction of plant traits.

Analysis of gauze pad made from coconut tree fiber infused with guava derived phenolic compounds

Abstract Gauze pad wound dressing plays a crucial role in protecting the wound and preventing it from factors that can prolong the healing process. However, due to the porous nature of gauze pads, it cannot completely block microbes from getting into the wound. This study analyzes coconut tree fiber as a gauze pad infused with guava derived phenolic compounds, known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The research assesses the extract’s effectiveness, focusing on phenolic compounds, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial effects. By employing the disk diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, the study reveals that both 50% and 30% extracts exhibit inhibitory activity, with mean zones of inhibition at 8.5 mm and 8.33 mm, respectively, showing the antimicrobial property for both 50% and 30% extracts. The samples also demonstrated notable DPPH radical scavenging capacities for concentrations ranging from 0.006 to 1.27 (%w/v) for the 50% extract sample and from 0.006 to 1.25 for the 30% extract sample, ranging from 1.98% to 68.5% and 7.94% to 69.5%, respectively, indicating antioxidant property for both samples. The researchers have determined that there is no significant difference (p-value = 0.9187, α = 0.05) between the scavenging activity of both 50% and 30% extract. Furthermore, a minimal disparity in total phenolics was observed, with the former containing 1.25 and the latter 1.24 weight percent gallic acid. To determine if there is any negative skin reaction, a patch test was conducted in collaboration with a dermatologist using Stanford Health Care Medicine Standard. The test revealed no adverse skin reactions after three days of no removal usage of the coconut tree fiber gauze pad infused with phenolic compounds, as compared to a commercially available gauze pad. This study underscores the promise of guava extract and its antibacterial properties, particularly against skin pathogens, and its safe application when integrated with coconut fiber. This combination holds potential as a natural antimicrobial agent with diverse applications.

Comparison of gingival thickness by CBCT versus transgingival probing and estimation of cut-off values for gingival phenotype – A cross-sectional study in adults

Aim: Gingival phenotype (GP) is regarded as valuable indicators for forecasting the probability of attaining favourable aesthetic and functional results with orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and reproducibility of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for assessing gingival thickness (GT) in both the arches compared to transgingival probing method. The secondary objective was to determine the optimal cut-off values for GT using CBCT.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted where GP was determined based on the probe transparency method (TRAN). The GT measurements were obtained by both the methods at 2 mm from the free gingival margin (FGM) for all teeth anterior to the first molar. The data was statistically analysed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland‒Altman plots, and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The statistical significance level was set at a p value<0.05.Results: The study included 60 subjects (1200 teeth). The mean GT in both the maxillary (1.14±0.17 mm) and mandibular (0.94±0.15 mm) arches was significantly greater (p<0.05) for the transgingival probing method than for the CBCT method. As shown in the Bland‒Altman plot, the bias between the two methods was greater in the maxillary jaw (0.060; 95% CI; 0.044 to 0.076) and in individuals with a thick GP (0.096; 95% CI; 0.082 to 0.109). The optimal values for GT measurements were 1.15 mm for the maxillary jaw, 1.02 mm for the mandibular jaw, 1.02 mm for males, and 1.09 mm for females.Conclusions: CBCT exhibited notable precision in diagnosing GT, while demonstrating minimal disparities compared to the conventional transgingival probing technique, particularly evident in thin GPs, and in the mandibular dental arch. The constraints associated with the utilization of CBCT were observed in the maxillary arch and in cases with thick GP.

Mechanical and degradation properties of degradable cover materials for sugarcane leaves

Mulch was prepared using composted sugarcane leaves, with polyvinyl alcohol and cationic starch as adhesives, through compression molding. The study aimed to investigate the effects of different adhesives on the mechanical properties, thermal oxidative degradation performance, and biodegradability of the covering materials. The results indicated that, when the adhesive dosage was consistent, cover material A, which utilized polyvinyl alcohol as the adhesive, exhibited higher tensile strength and elongation at break compared to cover material B, which employed a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and cationic starch. Specifically, at an adhesive dosage of 20%, cover material A achieved a tensile strength of 0.46 MPa and an elongation at break of 7.72%, representing the highest values among all experimental groups. There was minimal disparity in the thermal oxidative degradation performance between materials prepared with either adhesive; however, a higher quantity of adhesive led to decreased biodegradability performance. After being buried in soil for 120 days, the degradation exceeded 40% for both materials, resulting in loss of their original shape and strength properties. In conclusion, while sugarcane leaves-based biodegradable materials demonstrate favorable degradation performance, further enhancements are necessary to improve their mechanical properties. These materials have potential applications as substitutes for plastic mulch.

Numerical investigations on film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer performance of inclined film hole on the turbine blade squealer tip with plasma actuation

The turbine blade tip frequently encounters elevated thermal loads, necessitating effective protection measures. Conventional film cooling techniques, while employed to mitigate erosion, face challenges in achieving optimal performance due to intricate tip leakage flow dynamics. Thus, the development of advanced film cooling methodologies becomes imperative to ensure the optimal operation of blade tips. In this study, a novel film cooling approach is proposed, leveraging a combination of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators and inclined film holes. This strategy aims to direct cooling jets towards the tip wall surface, enhancing film cooling efficacy on highly-loaded turbine squealer tips. Numerical investigations are conducted to assess film cooling effectiveness, heat transfer coefficients, and coolant jet flow characteristics across varying actuation strengths (0, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) by integrating plasma actuation forces into the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Additionally, the impact of different blow ratios (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) on plasma flow control is examined. Results demonstrate that plasma actuation improves film cooling performance and effectively mitigates tip heat transfer, even in the presence of interfering tip leakage flow. Specifically, at an actuation strength of 1.0, the average blade tip film cooling effectiveness increases by 7.1%, accompanied by a 12.3% reduction in average heat transfer coefficient compared to scenarios without plasma actuation. Furthermore, the blow ratio influences plasma actuation performance, with minimal disparity observed between configurations with and without plasma devices under extreme blow ratio conditions.

Using predictive models unravel the potential of titanium oxide-loaded activated carbon for the removal of leachate ammoniacal nitrogen.

The TiO2 nanocomposite efficiency was determined under optimized conditions with activated carbon to remove ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) from the leachate sample. In this work, the facile impregnation and pyrolysis synthesis method was employed to prepare the nanocomposite, and their formation was confirmed using the FESEM, FTIR, XRD, and Raman studies. In contrast, Raman phonon mode intensity ratio ID/IG increases from 2.094 to 2.311, indicating the increase of electronic conductivity and defects with the loading of TiO2 nanoparticles. The experimental optimal conditions for achieving maximum NH3-N removal of 75.8% were found to be a pH of 7, an adsorbent mass of 1.75mg/L, and a temperature of 30°C, with a corresponding time of 160min. The experimental data were effectively fitted with several isotherms (Freundlich, Hill, Khan, Redlich-Peterson, Toth, and Koble-Corrigan). The notably elevated R2 value of 0.99 and a lower ARE % of 14.61 strongly support the assertion that the pseudo-second-order model compromises a superior depiction of the NH3-N reduction process. Furthermore, an effective central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed, and the lower RMSE value, precisely 0.45, demonstrated minimal disparity between the experimentally determined NH3-N removal percentages and those predicted by the model. The subsequent utilization of the desirability function allowed us to attain actual variable experimental conditions.

Exploring sustainable forensics: silica nanoparticle powder derived from rice husk waste for aged fingermark development and the chemistry of surface interactions

BackgroundPowder-based fingermark ridge visibility enhancement is a common technique employed in crime scenes due to ease of application and robustness of the application method. Pigmented powders created a contrast between the surfaces and developed ridgelines and are generally metals or metal oxides based. Previous research showed the successful development of fresh latent fingermarks using rice husk-derived silica nanoparticles on various surfaces. Nevertheless, there has been less previous evidence for the efficiency of the silica nanoparticle powder on aged fingermark development. Therefore, the aim here is to investigate the efficacy of the powder on aged fingermarks relative to commercial formulation to gauge the feasibility of having naturally derived powder as a possible alternative for field application and commercialisation.ResultsRigorous testing over a range of non- and semi-porous surfaces at varied ageing conditions revealed a minimal disparity in the performance of both powders on most surfaces. Still, silica nanoparticles exhibited superiority in terms of selectivity on silica-based surfaces. Close up analysis of developed fingermarks using electron microscope exposed clear demarcation between fingermark ridges and valleys using silica nanoparticles.ConclusionsFindings revealed that the interaction chemistry between powder particles and surface material either enhances or lowers the fingermark development capacity depending on the type of surface tested.

Aminopropyl functionalized iron-phyllosilicate (AIP) engineered composite membrane for hazardous emerging pollutant treatment

Catalytic degradation of organic foulants using cost-effective and light-independent catalyst in membrane system is a promising technology in advancing the self-cleaning membranes. In this work, we report AIP-clay as an efficient light-independent catalyst in membrane system to degrade the organic foulants. The characterization of AIP-clay and membrane was performed using FE-SEM, ATR-IR, DLS, XPS, AFM, zeta potential, and contact angle measurements. The optimised AIP-clay loaded membrane (0.1AIP-PAN) showed an efficient Fenton-based insitu degradation of fouled dyes and SWW both in dark and light condition. Although, membrane exhibited significant self-cleaning capabilities in presence of light, the efficiency was nearly equivalent in dark condition as well, indicating minimal disparity in performance. The membranes remained stable even after multiple cycles of self-cleaning, with no notable loss in flux or rejection ability. The 0.1AIP-PAN membrane performance was further assessed based on the removal capacity of various salts (18% of NaCl and 38% of MgSO4), dyes (MB, MG, CR, EBT and RBr), SWW (>90%) and pharmaceuticals (>80%). In addition, the AIP-clay loaded membrane was studied for its anti-fouling property via long-term study for SWW with 97.7% FRR while retaining the membrane stability even after 216 h. Therefore, these studies demonstrate the potential self-cleaning in both dark and light, long-term stability and high separation performance of the AIP-clay membranes for diverse applications.

Understanding the Occurrence of Psychiatric Disorders in Epilepsy in Brazil: An Epidemiological Investigation

IntroductionEpilepsy is one of the most common serious brain illness, with symptoms influenced by multiple risk factors and a strong genetic predisposition, rather than having a single expression and cause¹. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in epilepsy can encompass manifestations such as mood alterations, anxiety, sleep disturbances, psychosis, and behavioral disorders. While the motor and sensory manifestations of epileptic seizures are widely recognized, neuropsychiatric symptoms accompanying epilepsy are often underestimated. Therefore, it is essential to understand the most prevalent epidemiological profile of these patients to improve the diagnosis and management of these symptoms.ObjectivesOur goal was to evaluate the neuropsychiatric behavior of epilepsy patients in Brazilian over the past 3 years through hospitalization data in order to outline an epidemiological and behavioral profile.MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study was conducted on hospitalizations of individuals simultaneously diagnosed with epilepsy, schizotypal and delusional disorders, and mood disorders in all five regions of Brazil (South, Southeast, Midwest, North, and Northeast) between February 2020 and December 2022. Data from January 2020 were not available. The data used were collected through the Department of Health Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) in the “Hospital Information System of SUS” section, gathering information regarding the nature of care, age range, gender, and ethnicity of the patients.ResultsThe analysis covers the years 2020 to 2022, totaling 503,045 hospitalizations. In 2022, the highest number of cases occurred (≈ 37.55%), followed by 2021 (≈ 33.62%) and 2020 (≈ 28.81%). Urgent hospitalizations represented ≈ 90.85% of the total. The most affected age group was 30 to 39 years old (≈ 18.30%). Men were more affected than women (≈ 52.03% and ≈ 47.96%, respectively), and Caucasians accounted for ≈ 36.07% of the hospitalizations. The average length of stay was 19.1 days, and the mortality rate was 1.4%.ConclusionsThus, there is a gradual and annual increase in the number of hospitalizations during the observed period. While there is a minimal disparity between the affected genders, it is evident that the profile of male, caucasian, and adult patients is the most prevalent. Moreover, the predominantly urgent nature of hospitalizations points to an alarming scenario regarding this issue. From the analysis of the data obtained in the study, there is a clear need for interventions capable of reducing the prevalence of hospitalizations for neuropsychiatric symptoms in epilepsy patients in Brazil.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Revealing distinct DNA methylation patterns in hepatic carcinoma through high-throughput sequencing

Abstract Objectives To study the relationship between DNA methylation and tumour development and provide experimental evidence for the personalized diagnosis and treatment of hepatic carcinoma. Methods The DNA of hepatic carcinoma tissue (Ca group) and adjacent normal tissue (T group) were extracted using the phenol-chloroform method and then treated with bisulfite. Twenty-five genes including 45 subtypes were amplified by PCR. The PCR products were sequenced via the Illumina 450k methylation array assay. The changes of methylated DNA performance were analysed through principal component analysis (PCA). Cluster analysis was used to evaluate the classification of methylated DNA regions. Haplotype abundance variation was tested for methylation differences. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square (χ2) test or Fisher’s exact test. Results Sequencing discoveries indicated CG-type methylation pervading all amplicons. However, CHG-type and CHH-type methylations were confined to only four amplicons (or nine subtypes). The methylation ratios of three specific amplicons (DAB2IP, PRDM14-1, Rab31-1) out of 45 amplicon subtypes in the Ca group significantly increased (over 10 %) compared to the T group (p&lt;0.05). Nineteen amplicons demonstrated minor distinction (methylation pattern variations between 1 and 10 %), with the remaining 23 amplicons showing only minimal disparities (under 1 %). PCA and cluster analysis unveiled a marked difference in methylation levels between cancerous and healthy tissues (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions The changes in haplotypes and methylation sites could serve as a biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of hepatic carcinoma. Methylation patterns might play an important role in the occurrence and development of hepatic carcinoma.