Small Amounts Research Articles

TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Research progress and considerations on oral rehydration therapy for the prevention and treatment of severe burn shock: A narrative review

Severe burns are an important cause of life-threatening situations, whether in times of peace or war. Shock represents a critical complication during the early stages of burn injury and is a significant contributor to mortality and long-term disability. Effective fluid resuscitation is a crucial intervention for preventing and treating shock, and prompt administration is paramount. In numerous instances, prompt initiation of intravenous fluid resuscitation proves challenging and research indicates that resuscitation errors remain a critical contributor to the mortality of injured patients. Hence, it is imperative to explore a more expedient and efficacious non-invasive method for fluid resuscitation that can serve as a fundamental basis for the subsequent treatment of such individuals. There has been extensive research recently on the utilisation of oral rehydration, which exhibits vast potential for application in austere settings. This paper summarizes the historical development and research progress in oral rehydration therapy, briefly discusses the pathogenesis of burns, summarizes the characteristics of burn fluid resuscitation and discusses the application status of oral rehydration therapy in the early anti-shock treatment of burns. It aims to explore an effective fluid resuscitation method suitable for special conditions and provides ideas for improving the level of treatment for shock in peacetime and wartime. Oral rehydration therapy is generally considered safe; however, there are potential complications to be aware of. These include gastrointestinal discomfort such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, particularly when the rehydration rate is too fast or there are preexisting gastrointestinal issues in the patient. Furthermore, it is important to note that oral rehydration therapy may not be appropriate for individuals suffering from gastrointestinal tract impairments. Therefore, when administering oral rehydration therapy, it is imperative for the physician to carefully assess the patient’s condition and closely monitor their response and tolerance. Based on a comprehensive review of research in relevant fields, we carefully present the following provisional guidelines for oral rehydration therapy in burn patients. It is critical to emphasize that, despite these guidelines being intended to inform clinical practice, they should be applied with caution due to the lack of robust clinical evidence. Implementation should either be cautious, considering the specifics of the patient’s condition, or conducted under the supervision of healthcare professionals. Additionally, these guidelines should be dynamically adjusted in response to the unique circumstances and evolving condition of each patient: ① Initiation timing: Start as soon as possible, and the ideal start time is usually within 6 h after injury. ② Rate of application: Employing a fractional administration approach, wherein small quantities of approximately 150–250 millilitres are provided for each instance and the initial fluid rate of oral rehydration can be simplified to 100 mL/kg/24 h. ③ Composition combination: In addition to essential salts and glucose, the oral rehydration solution can incorporate various anti-inflammatory and cellular protection constituents such as pyruvate, vitamins, teprenone or glutamine.

Precise Alkali Supply during and after Growth for High‐Performance Low Bandgap (Ag,Cu)InSe2 Solar Cells

Alkali treatments are crucial for low bandgap (Ag,Cu)InSe2 (ACIS) and Cu(In,Ga)Se2‐based solar cell performance. Traditionally, Ag‐alloying of CIS (ACIS) is grown on soda‐lime glass (SLG) at temperatures exceeding 500 °C, resulting in uncontrolled alkali diffusion from the substrate and variable photovoltaic properties. A substrate‐independent low‐bandgap ACIS growth process is introduced and the impact of controlled supplies of NaF and RbF alkali fluorides before and after absorber growth through precursor layers and post‐deposition treatments (PDT) are investigated. NaF and RbF precursor layers enhance carrier lifetimes and doping density, outperforming the previous SLG‐dependent strategy. Even small quantities of RbF significantly enhance device performance, while specific NaF amount during deposition are necessary to limit grain growth and achieve high doping densities and lifetimes. A certain density of grain boundaries appears crucial for high doping levels. Although subsequent NaF post‐deposition treatment (PDT) does not provide additional benefits with sufficient Na during growth, RbF‐PDT remains crucial. The best performance is achieved with a combination of NaF and RbF precursor layers along with RbF‐PDT, resulting in over 19% efficiency, 605 mV open‐circuit voltage (VOC), 73% fill factor (FF), a carrier density of 3 × 1016 cm−3, and a 700 ns lifetime. This approach supports high‐efficiency ACIS solar cell advancement, particularly for thin‐film tandem photovoltaic devices.

Milling amorphous FeSiB ribbons with vibratory ball and disc mills

Fe, Si and B powders, mixed with atomic composition Fe78Si9B13, are subjected after arc melting to a melt spinning process, which is optimized to obtain the greatest amount of amorphous ribbon. The amorphous ribbons are milled to powder form in a vibratory ball mill and a vibratory disc mill, taking care of maintaining the amorphous character. Ribbons and powders have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser diffraction, SEM and TEM microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The amorphous character and particle size of the powders are characterized as a function of the mill charge and the milling time. It is shown that the use of the ball mill is appropriate for obtaining small quantities of amorphous or nanocrystalline powder, while the disc mill can process larger quantities of powder in a shorter time. The particle sizes obtained for milling times between 10 and 150 min range between 26 and 412 μm, ready for use in powder metallurgy processes.

Construction of an organic iron phosphate/graphite carbon nitride hybrid system for improved fire safety of epoxy resin

Enhancing the fire safety of epoxy resin (EP) is crucial due to its widespread but inherent flammability, necessitating the integration of additive flame retardants (FRs) that are effective in small quantities and exhibit efficient flame retardancy. This study constructed a novel, efficient FR by synthesizing organic iron phosphate (ATMP-Fe) and loading it on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). The resulting hybrid flame retardant (ATMP-Fe/g-C3N4) was added to EP in minimal amount to bolster its flame retardancy and safety features. Incorporating a mere 3 wt% of ATMP-Fe/g-C3N4 into EP significantly improved its flame retardancy and thermal stability. This was evidenced by an increase in the limiting oxygen index from 25.5% for EP to 30.1%, achieving a V-1 rating in the UL-94 test, and producing a 22.0 wt% char residue. Moreover, there was a substantial reduction in peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke production by 36.3%, 27.5%, and 39.3%, respectively. The reduction in pyrolysis products, along with the formation of a dense and stable char layer facilitated by the synergistic effects of phosphorus and iron elements, significantly improved the fire safety of EP. Additionally, the enhanced hydrophobicity, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of the EP/3ATMP-Fe/g-C3N4 composite suggested potential for wider application of EP in various fields.

The Organizational Structure, Conduct, and Outcomes of Coimbatore and Erode District Companies Using Different Sugar Substitutes

According to a study on market performance, producers will still receive a higher percentage of the profit even if they sell on a larger scale than other actors. The price difference for ten kilograms of sugar was calculated to be Rs. 100. Still, a lot of consumers choose to pay more for sugar in retail establishments when they buy it in smaller amounts rather than in bulk. Even if the price difference for ten kilograms of sugar is only Rs. 90, the producer is making a sizable profit margin, according to a market performance analysis. Simple percentage and averages were worked out to assess the general characteristics such as age and experience of the intermediaries and consumers. However, in this instance, the producer sells in larger numbers, either through the market or directly to the wholesaler, enabling them to keep a considerable portion of the earnings from their products. A market performance analysis indicates that the producer will share in the profit margin at a higher rate than other chain participants. Because 20 kilograms of palm sugar can be made from 60 liters of palmyrah tree sap, his production expenses will match farmers profit margin.

Water jet vacuum cooling system for improving the quality of multiflora honey from bee (Apis dorsata Fabricus) in Indonesia

Honey has great benefits to humans, both as medicine and food. It contains glucose, fructose and water in addition to small quantities of proteins, minerals, organic acids, and vitamins. Vacuum cooling is a rapid cooling technique based on the principle of evaporation, which lowers the boiling point of water based on the vacuum pressure inside a cooler room. A prototype vacuum-cooling jet water system was used to process the honey. Raw honey obtained from the forests of Riau was used in the present study. This study aimed to determine the effect of jet water vacuum cooling with variations in volume (V/V), capacity (12.5%, 25%, and 50%) on the quality of honey (Apis dorsata Fabricus) to accelerate the cooling process and preserve product quality. The cooling mechanical analysis parameters reviewed included the processing time and the lowest maximum pressure. The parameters of the quality of honey observed included moisture content, viscosity, density and total dissolved solids. As a result, the vacuum cooling process can suppress damage to the quality of honey owing to the heating process. At the cooling time and lowest maximum pressure value, the mechanical aspects of the water jet system vacuum cooling process showed the maximum results. The water contents of 12.5% (V/V), 25% (V/V) and 50% (V/V) filling were 13.69%, 12.89%, and 14.25%, respectively. The viscosities at 12.5% (V/V), 25% (V/V) and 50% (V/V) filling were 2.604 Pa.s, 2.355 Pa.s, and 1.644 Pa.s, respectively. Density with 12.5% (V/V), 25% (V/V) and 50% (V/V) filling were 1.52 g/cm3, 1.53 g/cm3 and 1.50 g/cm3, respectively. Total dissolved solid values of honey with 12.5 % (V/V), 25 % (V/V), and 50 % (V/V) fillings were 78.16%, 78.16% and 77.66%, respectively. Water jet vacuum cooling with a 25% chamber volume capacity accelerates honey with the best total dissolved solids, density and moisture content. Vacuum cooling can be used to improve product quality, shorten handling time, extend product shelf life and improve security. Key words: honey, pressure, vacuum cooling, density, moisture content, viscosity

Effect of functional fillers in solvent‐free polyurethane adhesives: Processing and characterization

AbstractThe present work is focused on the study of polyurethane adhesives in the presence of functional fillers (encapsulated enzymes) intended to make them degradable. This is part of a general strategy aiming to recycle multilayer films for packaging, at their end of life, by means of separating the constituent layers as a result of adhesives degradation. Primarily, it was found that the presence of small quantities of functional filler greatly affects both, the quality of the coating process and the kinetics of the adhesive curing. The former, because of the dependency on particle size distribution, leads to high variations in thickness and mechanical properties of multilayers and, the latter, because of a significant catalytic effect (higher curing rates). Indeed, an assessment of the adhesives' kinetics by rheology showed that the pot‐life and the cross‐over point (G′ = G″) for the enzyme‐containing system were obtained three times faster in comparison to the control formulation. These findings were also confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. On the other hand, by reducing and homogenizing the filler's particle size using separated sieved material (≤50 μm), improvements in coating control as well as in the quality and final properties of the multilayers were evidenced.Highlights Recycling multilayer plastic films for flexible packaging. Encapsulated enzymes to degrade the polyurethane adhesive in specific conditions. The presence of functional fillers affects the coating process. Process optimization to ensure the coating quality control.

Evaluation of Thermoplastic Starch Contamination in the Mechanical Recycling of High-Density Polyethylene

This research highlights the importance of addressing bioplastic contamination in recycling processes to ensure the quality of recycled material and move towards a more sustainable circular economy. Polyethylene (PE) is a conventional plastic commonly used in packaging for which large amounts of waste are produced; therefore, PE is generally recycled and has an established recycling process. However, the contamination of biodegradable polymers in the PE waste stream could impact recycling. This study, therefore, focuses on polyethylene (PE) that has been polluted with a commercial thermoplastic starch polymer (TPS), as both materials are used to produce plastic films and bags, so cross-contamination is very likely to occur in waste separation. To achieve this, recycled PE was blended with small quantities of the commercial TPS and processed through melt extrusion and injection molding, and it was further characterized. The results indicate that the PE-TPS blend lacks miscibility, evidenced by deteriorated microstructure and mechanical properties. In addition, the presence of the commercial TPS affects the thermal stability, oxidation, and color of the recycled PE.

Calorimetry of amorphous calcium carbonate is correlated with its lithification and durability as synthetic stone—implications for CO2 storage and utilization

The properties of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and its transformations to crystalline polymorphs are frequently studied in aqueous systems and in small quantities. In this study, synthetic calcium carbonate stones are created from bulk ACC and crystalline polymorphs, which were precipitated from gaseous CO2, at a gradient of end pH. Some of the ACCs hardened into stones which are durable against an abrasion and impact test, while some of the ACCs create fragile, friable stones. When ACCs which transform to durable stones and those which transform into fragile stones were subject to calorimetry, significant differences were observed. These stones, synthesized from gaseous CO2, can be used as a storage reservoir for utilized CO2 in construction and other infrastructure applications.

Controlled Carbon Dioxide Terpolymerizations to Deliver Toughened yet Recyclable Thermoplastics.

Using CO2 polycarbonates as engineering thermoplastics has been limited by their mechanical performances, particularly their brittleness. Poly(cyclohexene carbonate) (PCHC) has a high tensile strength (40 MPa) but is very brittle (elongation at break <3%), which limits both its processing and applications. Here, well-defined, high molar mass CO2 terpolymers are prepared from cyclohexene oxide (CHO), cyclopentene oxide (CPO), and CO2 by using a Zn(II)Mg(II) catalyst. In the catalysis, CHO and CPO show reactivity ratios of 1.53 and 0.08 with CO2, respectively; as such, the terpolymers have gradient structures. The poly(cyclohexene carbonate)-grad-poly(cyclopentene carbonate) (PCHC-grad-PCPC) have high molar masses (86 < Mn < 164 kg mol-1, ĐM < 1.22) and good thermal stability (Td > 250 °C). All the polymers are amorphous with a single, high glass transition temperature (96 < Tg < 108 °C). The polymer entanglement molar masses, determined using dynamic mechanical analyses, range from 4 < Me < 23 kg mol-1 depending on the polymer composition (PCHC:PCPC). These polymers show superior mechanical performance to PCHC; specifically the lead material (PCHC0.28-grad-PCPC0.72) shows 25% greater tensile strength and 160% higher tensile toughness. These new plastics are recycled, using cycles of reprocessing by compression molding (150 °C, 1.2 ton m-2, 60 min), four times without any loss in mechanical properties. They are also efficiently chemically recycled to selectively yield the two epoxide monomers, CHO and CPO, as well as carbon dioxide, with high activity (TOF = 270-1653 h-1, 140 °C, 120 min). The isolated recycled monomers are repolymerized to form thermoplastic showing the same material properties. The findings highlight the benefits of the terpolymer strategy to deliver thermoplastics combining the beneficial low entanglement molar mass, high glass transition temperatures, and tensile strengths; PCHC properties are significantly improved by incorporating small quantities (23 mol %) of cyclopentene carbonate linkages. The general strategy of designing terpolymers to include chain segments of low entanglement molar mass may help to toughen other brittle and renewably sourced plastics.

Remote Activation of H-H Bonds by Platinum in Dilute Alloy Catalysts.

With heterogeneous catalysts, chemical promotion takes place at their surfaces. Even in the case of single-atom alloys, where small quantities of a reactive metal are dispersed within the main host, it is assumed that both elements are exposed and available to bond with the reactants. Here, we show, on the basis of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy data, that in alloy catalysts made from Pt highly diluted in Cu the Pt atoms are located at the inner interface between the metal nanoparticles and the silica support instead. Kinetic experiments indicated that these catalysts still display better selectivity for the hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols than the pure metals. Density functional theory calculations corroborated the stability of Pt at the metal-support interface and explained the catalytic performance as being due to a remote lowering of the activation barrier for the dissociation of H2 at Cu sites by the internal Pt atoms.

Utilizing Data Mining Techniques to Analysis Changes in Purchase Behavior of Batik’s Customers

Sales transaction data contains rich information potentially used to support company competitiveness. However, interpreting and utilizing transaction data in developing marketing strategies remains a challenge, even for big companies. Therefore, this research aims to develop marketing strategies using data mining techniques. A medium-sized company focusing on producing and selling traditional motif clothes (batik) will be used as a case study. The negative sales trend is the biggest issue currently faced by the company. Hypothetically, this problem is caused by imported products sold at lower prices or changing consumer behavior after pandemic covid. Currently, the company only implements simple analysis of its transaction data. The analysis of transaction data, conducted through five data mining stages, yielded a shift from purchasing small quantities to larger quantities, increased purchases during the final week of each month, and increased purchases on religious occasions. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that 31.29% of all transactions were attributed to loyal consumers, and 192 customers exhibited in Cluster 1 (high transaction quantities and high transaction values). Further investigation also revealed that customers categorized as loyal customers and Cluster 1 have different behaviors that can be used to develop further customer relationship programs. Future research can be conducted by employing data mining techniques to study the organization's assortment of products. Management discussions reveal that changes in consumer buying behavior extend to the selection of items and batik themes.

Living in the shore: changes in coastal resource intensification during the Mesolithic in northern Iberia

Recent research on human exploitation of molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans during the Mesolithic in the Cantabrian region (northern Iberia) has shown significant variability in the intensity of the use of coastal resources by the last hunter-fisher-gatherers throughout the ~ 4000-year expanse of the Mesolithic (10,700 – 6,700 cal BP). Previous studies have proposed hypotheses related to demographic changes to explain intensification events. In this paper we aim to unravel whether climatic and environmental changes, or other social factors, such as demography, were involved in the increase in the use of marine resources at certain times. We employed species representation, quantification and biometric analysis of the shell assemblages from the El Toral III archaeological site (Asturias, northern Iberia) to identify patterns in shell exploitation throughout the stratigraphic sequence. To establish the chronology and distinguish occupation phases of the site, we employed Bayesian modelling of radiocarbon measurements. Faunal results show that marine gastropods such as limpets of the Patella genus and topshells Phorcus lineatus (da Costa, 1778) were the most exploited species, while bivalves, echinoids and crustaceans were present in smaller quantities. The comparison of the results for El Toral III with other Mesolithic sites in the region reveals significant temporal differences in the intensity of collection of marine shell species. Results showed that intensification processes are not clearly related to climate change but to other social factors, such as demography, suggesting that intensification and relaxation in shell collection events were strategies adopted depending on the needs of the human groups at different times.

Evaluation of the Viability of 3D Printing in Recycling Polymers.

The increased use of plastics in industrial and agricultural applications has led to high levels of pollution worldwide and is a significant challenge. To address this plastic pollution, conventional methods such as landfills and incineration are used, leading to further challenges such as the generation of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, increasing interest has been directed to identifying alternative methods to dispose of plastic waste from agriculture. The novelty of the current research arose from the lack of critical reviews on how 3-Dimensional (3D) printing was adopted for recycling plastics, its application in the production of agricultural plastics, and its specific benefits, disadvantages, and limitations in recycling plastics. The review paper offers novel insights regarding the application of 3D printing methods including Fused Particle Fabrication (FPF), Hot Melt Extrusion (HME), and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to make filaments from plastics. However, the methods were adopted in local recycling setups where only small quantities of the raw materials were considered. Data was collected using a systematic review involving 39 studies. Findings showed that the application of the 3D printing methods led to the generation of agricultural plastics such as Polylactic Acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which were found to have properties comparable to those of virgin plastic, suggesting the viability of 3D printing in managing plastic pollution. However, limitations were also associated with the 3D printing methods; 3D-printed plastics deteriorated rapidly under Ultraviolet (UV) light and are non-biodegradable, posing further risks of plastic pollution. However, UV stabilization helps reduce plastic deterioration, thus increasing longevity and reducing disposal. Future directions emphasize identifying methods to reduce the deterioration of 3D-printed agricultural plastics and increasing their longevity in addition to UV stability.

Subitizing endures in sequential rather than simultaneous comparison tasks.

Subitizing is the ability to appraise a number of small quantities (up to four) rapidly and precisely. This system, however, can be impaired by distractors presented along with targets to be enumerated. To better understand whether this limitation arises in perceptual circuits or in the response selection stage, we investigated whether subitizing can endure in simultaneous comparison tasks. Participants were asked to compare the number of dots in two sets on the left and right sides of the screen, presented either simultaneously or sequentially. For comparing within the numerosity range (6-32 dots), both the error rate and reaction time increased steadily as the ratio between the two numbers compared approached "1." Namely, a phenomenon labeled the ratio effect was revealed. For comparison with small numbers (<5), the sequential comparison task was errorless despite the ratio, suggesting the feature of subitizing. Individual efficiency (measured by the inverse efficiency score [IES]) did not correlate between number ranges in sequential comparison, suggesting that distinct mechanisms were involved. However, we found that in simultaneous tasks, error rate and efficiency showed an increase as the ratios of the two numbers compared approached "1." This is similar to the ratio effect revealed in the comparison for moderate numbers. Individual efficiency within these two ranges correlated, indicating that the enumeration within these two ranges was based on a single mechanism. These results suggest that subitizing cannot process sets in parallel, and numerosity takes the job whenever subitizing fails.

Effects of green tea and roasted green tea on human responses

Our objective was to elucidate the effects of tea consumption on refreshment and stress reduction/recovery through examining the multiple associations among factors such as various physiological responses and task performance. Participants included 20 healthy young men who performed a mental arithmetic task while 11 physiological responses were measured. The experiments were conducted twice under different beverage consumption conditions on separate days. The mental arithmetic task was executed six times in 1 day; participants ingested hot water, green tea, or roasted green tea (hojicha) before each task. Several subjective assessments: subjective fatigue, stress, mental workload, and flow were evaluated after each task. The R–R intervals, heart rate variability spectral components, the Poincaré plot indices (SD1 and SD2) and plethysmogram amplitude tended to decrease during task periods compared to resting periods. Tissue blood volume/flow (TBV, TBF) and near-infrared spectroscopy responses (NIRS) were lower in the tea condition than in the hot water condition. By scrutinizing various indicators, we found that aromatic stimulation of Japanese tea beverages has the potential to induce positive effects, enhance mental task performance, promote refreshment, and alleviate feelings of fatigue. These positive effects were observed even in small quantities and within a short duration, mirroring responses observed in daily consumption.

Adsorption separation of oxytetracycline hydrochloride using natural and nanostructured clay mineral of silica in synthetic solution: Integration to white and green chemistry metrics

As emerging water pollutants, oxytetracycline (OTC) and its derivatives are detrimental to humans, organisms, and aquatic ecosystems. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTCH) was effectively absorbed from water by silica (SiO2) and metakaolinite (MK). In this study, we employed a unique metric known as BAGI to evaluate the suggested analytical method's suitability effectively. Blue applicability grade index (BAGI) complements green assessment tools such as the Green analytical procedure index (GAPI), Complex green analytical procedure index ComplexGAPI, Analytical GREEnness (AGREE), Analytical greenness for sample preparation (AGREEprep), and Analytical eco-scale (ESA). The BAGI metric focuses on the practical aspects of white analytical chemistry, especially those related to “blue.” The optimal parameters for adsorbing OTCH were determined by a study (pH, OTCH concentration at the beginning of the reaction, sorbent dose, and reaction duration). This study of sorbent properties was conducted via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The highest levels of OTCH adsorption were seen at pH 5–6 for MK and at pH 7 for SiO2. The most desirable clay minerals are those with smaller quantities. The Langmuir model accurately characterizes the results, showing a strong correlation between OTCH sorption onto MK with a maximum capacity of 165.04 mg/g and a moderate correlation for SiO2 with a maximum capacity of 25.3 mg/g. Therefore, these findings regarding the effectiveness of adsorption and the analysis of properties offer supplementary insights into the potential use of clay minerals as cost-effective and eco-friendly sorbents for treating wastewater.

A high-throughput approach for assessing antiscaling performance during mineral precipitation from seawater and hard water

The undesired precipitation of minerals from solution poses challenges in various industrial and domestic applications, including water treatment, desalination, dishwashers and boilers. To mitigate this, threshold inhibitors - small quantities of water-soluble additives—are commonly employed to inhibit the precipitation of inorganic phases. However, concerns about the persistence of traditional additives like phosph(on)ates) in natural environments and stricter regulations warrant the development of more sustainable alternatives. We present a high-throughput approach using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer and automated data analysis to assess the scale inhibiting potential of numerous candidates and their combinations. The robustness and versatility of this method were validated by measuring the kinetics of alkaline-earth metal carbonates precipitating from simulated hard waters and seawaters across an extended range of experimental parameters. This approach allows for straightforward evaluation and quantification of each antiscaling additive’s effectiveness and operational range, enabling direct comparison of different additives and blends of additives. Moreover, it facilitates the study of scaling processes in both bulk solutions and at liquid/solid interfaces. By providing a rapid and reliable means of screening potential additives and formulations, our versatile toolbox will expedite the identification of effective scale inhibitors, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices in various industries reliant on water treatment and mineral precipitation control.

Amphiphilic Magnetic Particles Dispersed in Water and Oil for the Removal of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Microplastics.

The study explores the synthesis and versatile properties of amphiphilic magnetic particles (AMPs) achieved through sequential coatings. Modulating the hydrophobic content in the synthesis process allows for the formation of hydrophilic, amphiphilic, and hydrophobic magnetic particles, with stable AMPs synthesis achieved at a ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic portions of approximately 71 to 29%. These AMPs exhibited outstanding dispersion in both oil and water within an oil/water mixture. Polyethylenimine in the AMP primarily enhances the removal of hydrophilic microparticles and facilitates dispersion in water. On the other hand, octadecylamine is specifically designed for the effective elimination of hydrophobic microparticles and their dispersion in oil. AMPs demonstrated effective removal capabilities for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic microparticles in water as well as hydrophobic microparticles in 100% oil. Our approach is also suited for eliminating hydrophobic microparticles dispersed in small quantities of oil floating on large bodies of water in real-world situations.

Near Room Temperature Production of Segregated Network Composites of Carbon Nanotubes and Regolith as Multifunctional, Extra-Terrestrial Building Materials.

Constructing a semi-permanent base on the moon or Mars will require maximal use of materials found in situ and minimization of materials and equipment transported from Earth. This will mean a heavy reliance on regolith (Lunar or Marian soil) and water, supplemented by small quantities of additives fabricated on Earth. Here it is shown that SiO2-based powders, as well as Lunar and Martian regolith simulants, can be fabricated into building materials at near-ambient temperatures using only a few weight-percent of carbon nanotubes as a binder. These composites have compressive strength and toughness up to 100 MPa and 3 MPa respectively, higher than the best terrestrial concretes. They are electrically conductive (>20Sm-1) and display an extremely large piezoresistive response (gauge factor >600), allowing these composites to be used as internal sensors to monitor the structural health of extra-terrestrial buildings.