Volume Ratio Research Articles

Simultaneous treatment and enrichment of total phosphorus from livestock sewage using hydrate technology

The presence of phosphorus in livestock sewage is a key factor that causes eutrophication and the degradation of ecological water quality. Cyclopentane (CP) hydrate-based water treatment technique was utilized for the efficient total removal of phosphorus in effluents. This study assesses the treatment effectiveness and enrichment potential of hydrate technology when applied to real-world samples, specifically livestock wastewater. The treatment process was applied under atmospheric pressure and optimized appropriate conditions comprising the CP-to-sample volume ratio of 1:4, reaction duration of 3 h, and temperature of 2 °C because of the high subcooling and ability to enhance the number of hydrate crystals formed along with water. In addition, various methods, such as vacuum filtration, cold centrifugation, and washing, were employed for the effective and comprehensive removal of phosphorus from water samples with the efficiency exhibited from approximately 30 % to 80 %. The structure and composition of the CPHs formed in wastewater were analyzed via Raman spectroscopy and the phosphorus content was determined according to ISO 6878:2004. After a single-stage hydrate process without pretreatment and posttreatment, the water recovered from the extracted hydrates showed that the phosphorus removal efficiency in livestock sewage was approximately 85 % with a remarkable water recovery above 25 %. The study findings provide insights into the development of hydrate-based treatment technology for the removal of phosphorus and explore opportunities for resource enrichment and recovery from sewage.

Galerkin’s Method and Multivariate Newton’s Method for the Nonlinear Deformation of the Magneto-Electro-Elastic Bi-Layered Laminates

In this paper, mathematical modelling for the large deformation of a magneto-electro-elastic rectangular bi-layered laminate with general boundary conditions is presented. Constitutive equations involving the magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) material properties are introduced, Maxwell equations accounts for the electric and magnetic effects are also utilized. First-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) considering the von Karman nonlinear strain is adopted, and the plain strain/stress assumption applicable for thin plate analysis is used. A rather compact set of governing equations related to kinematical variables, electric/magnetic potentials and the Airy stress function is obtained as a consequence of the preliminary condensation for the electro-magnetic state to the plate kinematics. Semi-analytic solution for a bi-layered BaTiO3-CoFe2O4 laminate with specified boundary conditions subjected to various external applied loads is performed. By employing the Bubnov-Galerkin method, the set of nonlinear partial differential equations is transformed to a set of third-order nonlinear algebraic equations for the static deformation due to applied load. Numerical results are carried out by using the multivariate Newton's method with respect to various volume fractions indicating the volume ratio between piezoelectric BaTiO3 layer and piezomagnetic CoFe2O4. From the result, the nonlinearity of the von Karman strain appears to enhance system rigidity as smaller deformations will be detected when external load is applied. Also, some other interesting results are obtained which could be useful to future analysis and design of multiphase composite plates.

A novel device for conservation of supplemental oxygen: A randomized, crossover study of the efficiency and non-inferiority of the OXFO System

Background Oxygen is critical to the prevention of hypoxemia-induced morbidity and mortality; yet, access remains inadequate in most low- and middle-income countries despite billions of dollars spent over decades to increase supply. We present a new method for supplemental oxygen delivery whereby the OXFO System (OXFO Corporation, Boston, MA, USA) converts pressurized oxygen to ambient pressure for patient inhalation on demand at a fixed concentration across fluctuations in respiratory rate or tidal volume. This study’s primary aims were to examine the oxygen volume savings and test the non-inferiority of mean peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) with the OXFO System (OXFO Condition) compared to conventional continuous flow (Standard Condition) in a clinical population of oxygen-dependent hospitalized adults. Methods We conducted a non-inferiority, single-visit, randomized, crossover design. A total of 20 subjects were randomized to receive either OXFO Condition or Standard Condition first. Subjects were administered oxygen for 20 minutes during each condition after oxygen was titrated to target therapeutic SpO2. A one-sample t-test was performed to compare the mean ratio of oxygen volume dispensed (OXFO Condition/Standard Condition) with 100%. A paired t-test for non-inferiority was used to test the hypothesis that the mean SpO2 for OXFO Condition is no worse than 2.8% lower (absolute difference) than the mean SpO2 for Standard Condition. Results Nineteen subjects were included in the analyses. When considering the dispensing of oxygen as a ratio (OXFO Condition / Standard Condition) for each subject, the mean was 7.7% (standard deviation(SD)=5.4%; range=0-20%) and this was significantly different from 100% (P<0.001). The savings ratio was not significantly correlated with Standard Condition rate of flow (P=0.23). Mean SpO2 for OXFO Condition was 91.07% (SD=2.20%) and 91.35% (SD=1.62%) for Standard Condition and the difference was significantly above the non-inferiority margin of -2.80% (P<0.001). Conclusions The OXFO System saves a significant volume of oxygen while achieving non-inferior mean saturation for hospitalized oxygen-dependent patients. The OXFO System appears to maintain robust volume savings of nearly 13x across doses up to 6 liters per minute (L/min). This has significant implications for advancing equitable access to oxygen.

A comprehensive review on the classification, synthesis, characterization of nanopartices and their therapeutic impact

The main topic of the document is nanotechnology and the use of nanoparticles in various fields. The document introduces nanotechnology and defines nanoparticles as particles with lengths between 1 nm and 100 nm. Nanoparticles are classified as zero-dimensional nanomaterials and have distinct physico-chemical characteristics compared to bulk materials due to their small size and high surface to volume ratio. Nanoparticles have gained attention in technological breakthroughs due to their adjustable properties and potential applications in drug delivery. The document also discusses the different types of nanoparticles, including organic, inorganic, carbon-based, and herbal nanoparticles. Organic nanoparticles, such as micelles and liposomes, are often used for drug delivery. Inorganic nanoparticles, such as silver and gold nanoparticles, find applications in cosmetics and medicine. Carbon-based nanoparticles, including graphene and carbon nanotubes, have various uses in fields such as energy storage and sensors. The document also mentions the use of herbal nanoparticles derived from plant extracts. Additionally, the document highlights the concept of green synthesis, which offers advantages in terms of environmental friendliness and sustainability. Overall, the review provides an overview of the significance and potential applications of nanoparticles in different industries.

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DENTISTRY: DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT

The rapid development of nanotechnology in medicine and dentistry has led to an exponential increase in the scope of research in this area. Aspects of nanotechnology that have already brought benefits include advanced drug delivery platforms, molecular imaging, and the development of treatment materials in dental practice. The aim of the research. To investigate the current possibilities of using nanotechnology in dentistry for diagnosis and treatment. Materials and methods of the research. The materials were used scientific publications by authors conducting their scientific and practical research in the field of dentistry and nanotechnology. The search was conducted in the scientometric databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar using the terms “nanoparticles”, “oral cavity”, “nanomaterials”, “nanodentistry”, “diseases”, “biomaterials”, “treatment”, “diagnostics”. The research was conducted using such scientific methods as theoretical generalization and grouping, formalization, analysis, synthesis, and generalization of the results. The search resulted in the selection of publications for the period 2019-2024 that studied nanotechnology and its application in dental practice in diagnosis and treatment and will be discussed in this review. Results. The article shows a unique feature of nanotechnology, which is that the properties of a material at the nanoscale can differ from those at the macro level. This can be explained by two reasons: first, nanomaterials have a large surface area to volume ratio, which causes their high reactivity and, accordingly, affects their mechanical and electrical properties. Secondly, at the nanoscale, quantum effects dominate the material's behavior, giving rise to interesting observations of its electromagnetic and optical properties. Knowing the beneficial aspects of nanomedicine, scientists are trying to use nanotechnology to diagnose, treat and prevent dental diseases. Nanotechnology is used for sensitive medical procedures. They also demonstrate successful and useful applications for precise pain management, tooth restoration, and reduction of tooth hypersensitivity. Nanomaterials can plug open dentinal tubules, improving patient comfort and overall oral health. Orthodontic therapy has also been revolutionized by nanomaterials with shape memory properties, which enables faster and more efficient tooth movement. The development of revolutionary products and therapeutic alternatives is supported by ongoing research efforts, enabling the creation of dental implants, fillings and prostheses that closely mimic the characteristics of natural teeth. Nano-delivery systems are being developed to deliver drugs precisely into the oral cavity, providing optimal therapeutic outcomes with minimal side effects. This review highlights the multifaceted aspects of nanomedicine and how nanotechnology is proving to be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases. The integration of nanotechnology into dentistry represents a groundbreaking evolution that goes beyond conventional oral care methods, allowing for the development of innovative diagnostic methods and improved oral health. Prospects for further research. Nanotechnology has revolutionized dentistry by changing the way oral care is conceptualized, delivered, and maintained. To develop effective methods for the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases, it is necessary to continue research on the optimization of the mechanical properties and cytotoxicity of dental composite materials based on nanotechnology.

Copper(II) succinate: electrochemical synthesis, characterization and application as a precursor for micron-sized copper(II) oxide fibers

A coordination compound of copper(II) with succinic acid was obtained by electrochemical synthesis in media of various compositions. The samples were characterized by methods of quantitative analysis, ESR and IR spectroscopy, synchronous thermal analysis. The vibrational frequencies of copper(II) succinate were calculated by using DFT and the experimental IR spectra were interpreted on the basis of the results. Micro-sized copper(II) oxide fibers were obtained by thermal decomposition of synthesized samples. It was shown that the use of the water–dimethyl sulfoxide system with a volume ratio 1:1 is optimal to achieve the formation of moderately aggregated particles with a distinct filamentous morphology.

Dynamic susceptibility contrast‑enhanced perfusion magnetic resonance imaging parameters for predicting MGMT promoter methylation and prognostic value in newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma.

O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation is an important clinical biomarker of newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Previous radiological studies using dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion have aimed to predict MGMT methylation status non-invasively in gliomas with radiological characteristics. The possibility of predicting MGMT methylation status using DSC-MRI perfusion with a radiological approach remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of MRI perfusion parameters as non-invasive markers to predict MGMT methylation status and prognosis in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. Thus, 50 patients with histologically confirmed primary glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype who underwent tumor resection at Osaka University Hospital (Suita, Japan) between January 2017 and January 2023 were included in this study. The mean cerebral blood volume (CBV) ratio (rCBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) ratio (rCBF) for tumors with MGMT methylation (mean rCBV:2.09 and mean rCBF:3.08) were significantly higher compared with those for tumors without MGMT methylation (mean rCBV:1.33 and mean rCBF:1.85; P<0.05). While patients with MGMT methylation had longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared with those without MGMT methylation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in OS with or without MGMT methylation (P=0.06). By contrast, there was no association between MRI perfusion parameters and OS or PFS in patients with glioblastoma. Furthermore, the association between CBV, CBF, MGMT promotor methylation status, OS, and PFS were explored. There was no significant prognostic difference between low vascularity tumors (rCBV <1.3 or rCBF <1.8) with or without MGMT methylation. On the other hand, high vascularity tumors (rCBF ≥1.8) with MGMT promotor methylation were associated to longer OS and PFS compared with those without. However, there was no association between MGMT methylation status and OS or PFS in patients with high rCBV (rCBV ≥1.3). The present study indicated that CBV and CBF could be used to predict the MGMT methylation status in glioblastomas. However, the prognostic value of tumor vascularity and MGMT methylation status may be limited.

MXene/rGO piezoresistive sensor based on Longan leaves’ hierarchical microstructure for human-motion detection

Flexible pressure sensors exhibit great application potential in wearable devices, human-computer interaction, medical monitoring and other fields and thereby have attracted much attention. However, a common challenge in piezoresistive sensors is the trade-off between sensing range and sensitivity, which limits their versatility across various applications. By employing Longan leaf as a hierarchical microstructure template, the sensing range and sensitivity can be significantly improved at low cost, based on fractal theory. MXene was used as the sensing material, and a systematic study was conducted concerning the effect of MXene concentration on the sensor's sensitivity and detection range, which revealed that the sensitivity firstly increased and then decreased with MXene concentration ranging from 5 mg/mL to 30 mg/mL. Furthermore, based on the solution method to prepare composite sensing layer, MXene and rGO were mixed in proportion to obtain a sensing network that can coordinate with each other. When the volume ratio was 1:1, and the concentration of MXene was up to 15 mg/mL, the fabricated sensor demonstrated high sensitivity (47.36 kPa−1) and wide detection range (>100 kPa) at the same time. In addition, the sensor was successfully used to monitor various human joint activities and physiological signals, which was also expected to provide a competitive scheme for wearable flexible electronic devices in human-motion detection.

Diagnostic efficacy and value of ultrasound in children's scrotal testicular torsion: A retrospective analysis.

The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic efficacy and value of ultrasound detection for testicular torsion in children with scrotal and testicular diseases. A total of 120 children with acute scrotal swelling and pain who were treated in our hospital from August 2017 to August 2022 were selected for preliminary diagnosis through color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument examination. The final diagnosis was made through surgical or conservative treatment. At the same time, 40 children with acute epididymitis during the same period were selected as the control group, and the clinical treatment of patients with testicular diseases was retrospectively analyzed. A total of 120 children were diagnosed with testicular torsion disease, with 57 cases affecting the left testicle and 63 cases affecting the right testicle. Ultrasound examinations revealed no blood flow signal in 78 cases, a significant reduction in blood flow in 38 cases, and no change in 4 cases. Among the pediatric patients who underwent manual reduction, 79 cases had a favorable prognosis. Surgical reduction was performed in 41 cases, with 35 cases successfully treated and 6 cases resulting in testicular removal. Follow-up examinations conducted 6 months to 1 year postoperatively showed testicular atrophy in 4 out of 35 cases with preserved testicles, while the 6 cases that underwent testicular resection had good outcomes. The non-active subgroup had a longer disease course and a greater degree of torsion (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference in testicular volume and the ratio of healthy testicular volume between the 2 groups (P > .05). The sensitivity of ultrasound diagnosis was 95.24% (73/77), specificity was 78.57% (34/43), and accuracy was 89.29% (107/120). Ultrasound can effectively diagnose testicular torsion and evaluate the success rate of testicular reduction. Early treatment of patients with testicular torsion leads to better efficacy and higher survival rates.

Impacts of Photooxidation on Commercially Available Homo and Copolymers of Polypropylene on Their Microstructure and Mechanics: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis

ABSTRACTPolyolefin degradation is widely studied to assess the lifetime of packaging materials. In this work, a combination of bulk (DSC, GPC, 13C‐NMR, XRD), surface (FTIR) and cross‐sectional characterization (Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation) was used to examine changes in the mechanical properties and microstructure of two different commercially‐available polyolefins, with similar crystallinities, produced by injection molding—a polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) and a polypropylene random copolymer (PPRC)—aged under accelerated UV‐A conditions. The aim was to characterize the variations in the crystallinity and microstructure across the cross‐section of these materials. Our results suggest that the presence of ethylene comonomer units in PPRC results, on average, in smaller crystal dimensions, leads to improved packing, and a more homogeneous microstructure and hardness across the cross‐section of the sample. The ethylene monomers stabilize PPRC from oxidation during the first 14 days of accelerated aging, but eventually the rate of degradation matches the PPH at 28 days of aging, probably because of the higher surface area to volume ratio of the smaller crystals. The work emphasizes the importance of incorporating ethylene comonomers into polyolefins to limit variation of the microstructure across the core to the skin layer, for improved future design of packaging that degrades fully.

Block copolymer micelles stabilized Pickering emulsions in templating ultralight conducting PEDOT: PSS elastomeric aerogels

Amphiphilic copolymers poly(N-(2-methacryloylxy) ethyl pyrrolidone)-block-poly(2-(perfluorooctyl) ethyl methacrylate) (PNMPm-b-PFMAn) with similar m/n of about 10 preferred to form spherical micelles in water regardless of the molecular weight. These PNMPm-b-PFMAn micelles as Pickering emulsifiers commonly favored the formation of O/W Pickering emulsions in the cyclohexane/water systems, and the corresponding interfacial structures were characterized by the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) method. Moreover, high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs) were formed at high volume ratio of oil/water (VO/VW), which were excellent templates in generating structurally well-defined 3D porous PEDOT:PSS aerogels with low density and high conductivity. It was noticed that the HIPPE-templated PEDOT:PSS aerogels were mainly composed of hierarchically connected nano-/micro-level fibers, which were significantly different from the randomly intertangled lamellar micro-belts of PEDOT:PSS aerogels prepared by the hydrogel method under the same conditions. In addition, the HIPPE-templated stretchable and compressible PEDOT:PSS aerogels showed wide strain-invariant resistance (SIR) range and remarkable cycling stability, which were far superior to the hydrogel ones.

Nootkatone mitigates periodontal inflammation and reduces alveolar bone loss via Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB pathways in rat model of periodontitis.

Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to alveolar bone loss. This study investigated the effect of nootkatone and regulatory mechanism in reducing periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in a rat model. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, periodontitis, and nootkatone-treated groups (45 or 90 mg/kg). Ligature induction method was adopted to establish the PD model. After 21 days, rats received daily gavage of either saline or nootkatone for 10 days. Alveolar bone loss was assessed using micro-CT. Histological analyses included hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and Masson's trichrome stainings. Immunohistochemistry for heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were performed in periodontal tissues. Content of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in gingival tissues around ligature were assessed using ELISA kits. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were analyzed and Western blot for NF-κB expression in gingival tissues were performed. Nootkatone significantly reduced the distance from cementoenamel junction to alveolar bone crest (CEJ-ABC), enhanced bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume (BV), and BV/total volume (TV) ratio in ligature-induced rats. Higher dose of nootkatone (90 mg/kg) did not show more significant therapeutic effect than lower dose (45 mg/kg). Histological staining showed decreased osteoclasts' number and improved bone architecture in the nootkatone group. Content of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and inflammatory cell infiltration level in gingival tissues around the ligature were decreased in the nootkatone-treatment rats. Nootkatone increased Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression and decreased NF-κB protein level, suppressing MDA levels and enhancing SOD activity. In a rat model, nootkatone effectively mitigates periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss through the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB pathways. These findings suggest nootkatone as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of periodontitis.

Effects of sildenafil on gas exchange, ventilatory, and sensory responses to exercise in subjects with mild-to-moderate COPD: A randomized cross-over trial

Excess exercise ventilation (high ventilation (V̇E)/carbon dioxide output (V̇CO2)) contributes significantly to dyspnea and exercise intolerance since the earlier stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A selective pulmonary vasodilator (inhaled nitric oxide) has shown to increase exercise tolerance secondary to lower V̇E/V̇CO2 and dyspnea in this patient population. We aimed to assess whether a clinically more practical option - oral sildenafil - would be associated with similar beneficial effects. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, twenty-four patients with mild-to-moderate COPD completed, on different days, two incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) one hour after sildenafil or placebo. Eleven healthy participants performed a CPET in a non-interventional visit for comparative purposes with patients when receiving placebo. Patients (FEV1= 69.4 ± 13.5 % predicted) showed higher ventilatory demands (V̇E/V̇CO2), worse pulmonary gas exchange, and higher dyspnea during exercise compared to controls (FEV1= 98.3 ±11.6 % predicted). Contrary to our expectations, however, sildenafil (50 mg; N= 15) did not change exertional V̇E/V̇CO2, dead space/tidal volume ratio, operating lung volumes, dyspnea, or exercise tolerance compared to placebo (P>0.05). Due to the lack of significant beneficial effects, nine additional patients were trialed with a higher dose (100 mg). Similarly, active intervention was not associated with positive physiological or sensory effects. In conclusion, acute oral sildenafil (50 or 100 mg) failed to improve gas exchange efficiency or excess exercise ventilation in patients with predominantly moderate COPD. The current study does not endorse a therapeutic role for sildenafil to mitigate exertional dyspnea in this specific patient subpopulation.Clinical trial registry: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4qhkf4Web of Science Researcher ID: O-7665–2019

Chemical enhanced oil recovery from shale‐rich tight carbonate reservoirs using 2‐butoxyethanol as a mutual solvent and diluted seawater

AbstractOil production from tight reservoirs due to their very low permeability and high capillary pressure requires complex operations and materials, so that hydraulic fracturing in these reservoirs is recommended before any chemical injection. This operation turns the reservoir into a fractured one that can produce more oil by activating the imbibition mechanism. The interfacial tension (IFT) of oil and water and reservoir rock wettability as key parameters of overproduction from this type of reservoir can affect this mechanism. In this study, the potential of 2‐butoxyethanol as a mutual solvent for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) was investigated with a focus on the oil production under imbibition in this type of reservoir through performing experiments and calculations of IFT, oil swelling, contact angle, and oil production. The analysis of the results shows that the mechanisms of IFT reduction, wettability alteration, and oil swelling, which all directly affect the oil production under imbibition, reached the desired values using 2‐butoxyethanol in the appropriate concentration along with the dilution of seawater. The lowest values for interfacial tension and contact angle at 0.03 M concentration of the solvent and 5000 ppm salinity at 90°C temperature were 1.315 mN/m and 71.57°, respectively. These values are much lower compared to the values obtained by similar additives, while solvents, unlike 2‐butoxyethanol, are effective in much higher volume ratios. The oil swelling increased by about 14% using 2‐butoxyethanol due to its mass transfer between water and oil phases through the interface. Finally, the oil recovery factors of 42% and 59% were achieved under one‐ and multi‐dimensional spontaneous imbibition (ODSI and MDSI), respectively.

Effective removal of Calcium and Magnesium Ions from boiler feed Water using Polyacrylonitrile supported titanium tungstovanadate composite ion exchange nanofiber

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;​​​​​​&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,&amp;quot;serif&amp;quot;;font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;"&gt;The challenge posed by the presence of calcium ions (Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt;) in process streams is attributed to its adverse effects on the heat transfer efficiency of process equipment. In this study, a novel electrospun nanofibrous composite was synthesized by combining polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with well-dispersed Titanium tungestovanadate (TWV) cation exchanger. Homogeneous precipitation technique was employed to synthesize nano-titanium (IV) tungstovanadate (TWV) cation exchanger. Various synthesis parameters, including reactant volume ratio, amount of precipitating agent and reaction temperature, were optimized to achieve the highest ion exchange capacity (IEC). The prepared ion exchange material exhibited an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 2.39 meq.g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for Na&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; ions. The incorporation of the prepared nanoparticles into nanofibers conferred the sorption capabilities of the composite. The nanofibers' morphologies and structures were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Batch sorption experiments were carried out to investigate the sorption properties. Controlled experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of various factors, including solution pH, temperature, dosage, contact time, and the initial concentration of the hard water. The results indicated that the optimum adsorption conditions that gave the highest percentage of removal 99%, 98% for Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt; and Mg&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt;&amp;nbsp; ions respectively were 50 mg of adsorbent dosage, 500 ppm of Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt; and Mg&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt;&amp;nbsp; solution =7, and a contact time of 30 min at room temperature .The &amp;nbsp;kinetic data were fitted to pseudo second order model. Furthermore, the thermodynamic study suggested that the adsorption on PAN/TWV NF was endothermic and spontaneous.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Experimental study on the improvement of bamboo properties using amide polymer repair material based on the principle of self-energy dissipation

Traditional bamboo and wood components have different holes due to their own and external factors, and the appropriate hole repair technology is the key to improve the component's energy dissipation capacity. In this paper, based on the principle of in-situ free radical polymerization and hollow glass microsphere (HGM) reinforced polymer, PAM hydrogel (PAMHG) with better deformation recovery ability and PAM/HGM amide polymer (AP) with better mechanical properties were prepared. Based on the principle of self-energy dissipation of components, AP is used to improve the deformation capacity of hollow bamboo. The ratio of PAMHG and AP was optimized by single factor test and orthogonal test. The performance of AP was verified by bending test, SEM, energy consumption analysis，durability test and statistical analysis of small diameter round bamboo. The size of the bamboo sample is 250 mm (L)×15 mm (D)×2.5 mm (t), in accordance with LY/T 3347–2023 " Testing methods for physical and mechanical properties of small diameter round bamboo " (China). The results showed that an appropriate amount of glycerol could effectively improve the volume stability of the hydrogel. HGM effectively improved the strength of the polymer, and when the mass ratio of HGM/PAM was 0.48, the maximum compressive strength was 0.8 MPa, which was 2.4 times higher than that of the undoped HGM, and at this time, the optimal polymer ratios were 25 g of AM, 1 g of MBA, 0.01 g of APS, 2 g of TEA, 2 g of Carbomer SF-1, a volume ratio of 1:1 of glycerol/deionized water that the dispersion medium was 70 ml, and HGM was 12 g. The average energy dissipation of grouted bamboo at ultimate load was 2.02 times that of the control group, and the highest bending strength and elastic modulus were 128.01 MPa and 11.24 GPa, which were 41.39 % and 39.75 % higher than that of the control group, respectively. The SEM results revealed that the AP partially prepolymerized solution could infiltrate into the cells and pores of the bamboo material to achieve filling, bonding, as well as reinforcing the bamboo tissue. In addition, the durability test shows that AP has good resistance to environmental pressure. The results of this paper can provide a reference for the restoration materials of bamboo and wood components.

On-Chip Droplet Splitting with High Volume Ratios Using a 3D Conical Microstructure-Based Microfluidic Device.

This work reports a simple microfluidic method for splitting a mother droplet into two daughter droplets with high and precise volume ratios. To achieve this, a droplet-splitting microfluidic device embedded with a three-dimensional (3D) conical microstructure is fabricated, in which the high splitting ratios of monodisperse mother droplets are achieved. The volume ratio of the split daughter droplets can reach up to 265. In addition, we examined factors that affect the splitting ratio of the daughter droplets and found that the ratio is affected by the flow rates of the two individual outlet channels, the injection length of the conical microstructure, and the diameter of the original mother droplets. Numerical simulations of these parameters were conducted to gain a clearer understanding of the splitting behavior. The proposed droplet splitting device with a conical microstructure enables on-chip sample extraction and droplet volume control, which can be a powerful tool for various droplet-based applications in microfluidic devices such as viral infectivity assays and sequencing heterogeneous populations.

Comparative Study of Thermal Criteria and Fluid-Flow Criteria in Micro and Mini Channel Design Constrains with or without Insert Made of Aluminum Material

Through experimental and simulation results, a comparison between mini and micro channels with inserts or without inserts is conducted; in this case, water is the only working fluid used for present experimentation. In order to research the fluid flow and micro channel features, the results of fluid flowing inside the mini channel and micro channel with insert or without insert separately were admitted. Experiments were performed for various operating and design parameters under counter-flow conditions, with hot water moving into a concentric tube with a 30 mm diameter at 0.00078 kg/sec flow rate. The fluid is moving separately through mini channels with a 2 mm diameter and micro channels with lower than 1 mm dia. at a varying flow rate 0.00015 kg/sec to 0.0062 kg/sec. The working temperatures for hot water and cold fluid were 323 K and 303K, respectively. According to the results, the suggested design of the micro channel with insert performed better than a conventional mini channel, micro channel without insert and mini channel with inserts due to the better thermal conductivity of the aluminum material, effective diameter (1mm) to length ratio of micro channel in which heat exchanges with minimum volume ratio and the additional exposed area made possible by the rectangular shape of the insert, whereas micro channel with micro insert having rectangular shape showing best results as compared with the other designs of channel due to the rich heat passage and effective pressure drop and temperature. Experimentation and simulation results are coming in positive direction, it is directly observed from the error percentage i.e. 2.41% to 4.29%.

An anatomical analysis of liver volume and quality by ethnicity in a New Zealand population.

Post-hepatectomy liver failure is a major cause of mortality, where future liver remnant (FLR) is the key controllable factor. Recommended minimum FLR is influenced by quality of liver parenchyma. Historical research has often failed to include Māori and Pacific Island (PI) populations despite worse health outcomes. Liver analysis by ethnicity is one such example of this. The aims were to determine digital FLR for various anatomical hepatectomies, investigate any correlations between computed tomography (CT) hepatic textural analysis and body mass index (BMI); and assess the variance of these relationships for different ethnicities. One hundred and fifty-one patients who underwent abdominal CT scans at Burwood Hospital, Christchurch were retrospectively analysed. Māori and PI patients were selectively recruited to represent New Zealand's diversity. Liver volumetry, segmental ratio, and intra-hepatic fat deposits (IHFD) per ethnicity were examined. Median age of the cohort was 66 (19-95) and 75 (50%) were males. 68%, 23% and 9% patients identified as being European, Māori/PI and Asian, respectively. No statistically significant difference in volume or segment/total volume ratio were noted across different ethnicities. Obese patients had higher IHFD compared with overweight and normal BMI groups. When stratified across ethnic groups, higher IHFD were observed in Asian compared with Māori/PI populations, despite lower BMI. No significant variances in liver volumetry were found across different ethnic groups in New Zealand. However association between BMI and IHFD varied across different ethnic cohorts. Consequently, knowledge of liver volumetry is not enough; patient liver quality and ethnicity should considered for hepatic-surgery planning.

Long-Term Follow-up After Ovariectomy Reveals Correlations Between Bone Marrow Adiposity and Trabecular Bone Quality in the Proximal Metaphysis of Tibiae in Rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between BMAT and bone quality, describe the long-term effects of ovariectomy on bone, and investigate BMAT's spatial distribution. Fifteen-months-old female Sprague‒Dawley rats were studied, comparing ovariectomized (OVX, n = 22) and sham-operated (SHAM, n = 11) groups at 6 months. Tibias were analyzed for bone microarchitecture, BMAT (microcomputed tomography), mineral parameters (quantitative backscattered electron imaging), and bone composition (Raman microspectroscopy). The OVX tibias showed severe trabecular bone loss (lower bone volume/total volume, p < 0.001) with increased BMAT (higher adipose volume per marrow volume, p < 0.001), decreased mineral content (lower calcium concentration, p < 0.001), and altered organic components (lower mineral/matrix ratio in new bone, p = 0.03 trabecular surface, p < 0.001 trabecular core). When the data are pooled over both groups (SHAM and OVX), the adipose volume/marrow volume ratio was negatively correlated with bone volume/total volume (r = - 0.79, p < 0.001) and mineral/matrix ratio (r = - 0.37, p = 0.04 trabecular surface; r = - 0.65, p < 0.001 trabecular core) and positively correlated with crystallinity (r = 0.55, p = 0.001 trabecular surface; r = 0.49, p = 0.006 trabecular core). The mineral/matrix ratio of trabecular surface new bone was strongly negatively correlated with the adipose compartment nearest to the bone surface. These findings suggest mechanisms underlying BMAT's role in bone resorption.