Standard Conditions Research Articles

Selective Extraction of Lithium from Spent-NMC Battery Cathodes Using Sodium Hydroxide as a Leaching Agent at Elevated Temperatures

Introduction: The demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is rapidly increasing due to the growth of the electronics and electric vehicle industries. Even though the batteries are rechargeable, their storage capacity decreases, and they eventually end up being wasted. Recycling the spent LIBs is necessary to reduce the environmental impact and utilize the precious metals contained in the waste Methods: The present work focuses on the selective recovery of lithium from the cathodes of spent NMC batteries through the hydrometallurgical process using a sodium hydroxide solution. The leaching process was carried out in 2 M and 4 M NaOH concentrations for 120 minutes at high pressure and at temperatures of 398.15 K, 423.15 K, 448.15 K, and 473.15 K. Experimental results showed that 56.53% of lithium could be recovered with nearly 100% selectivity under the optimum leaching conditions of 473.15 K and 4 M NaOH. The release of lithium ions was due to a combination of sodium adsorption, ion exchange, and impregnation mechanisms. Result: Calculation results showed that the activation energy of the lithium leaching process was 2.1990×104 J/mol, the reaction was endothermic with enthalpy and entropy at standard conditions (298.15 K) of 4.8936×105 J/mol and 1.4421×103 J/mol/K, respectively. Conclusion: The present work also suggested that total lithium recovery can be increased through a series of leaching processes.

A data-driven estimation of the ribosome drop-off rate in S. cerevisiae reveals a correlation with the genes length.

Ribosomes are the molecular machinery that catalyse all the fundamental steps involved in the translation of mRNAs into proteins. Given the complexity of this process, the efficiency of protein synthesis depends on a large number of factors among which ribosome drop-off (i.e. the premature detachment of the ribosome from the mRNA template) plays an important role. However, an in vitro quantification of the extent to which ribosome drop-off occurs is not trivial due to difficulties in obtaining the needed experimental evidence. In this work we focus on the study of ribosome drop-off in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using 'Ribofilio', a novel software tool that relies on a high sensitive strategy to estimate the ribosome drop-off rate from ribosome profiling data. Our results show that ribosome drop-off events occur at a significant rate also when S. cerevisiae is cultured in standard conditions. In this context, we also identified a correlation between the ribosome drop-off rate and the genes length: the longer the gene, the lower the drop-off rate.

Investigating the grinding characteristics of vanadium-titanium iron ore tailings for sustainable utilization in cementitious material preparation

The study of the cementitious material activity of industrial solid wastes is a key issue in the comprehensive utilization of its green building materials. In this study, mechanical activation was used to prepare cementitious materials from vanadium-titanium iron ore tailings (VTIOT) as the main raw materials, and the effects of grinding time, the key parameter, on the grinding characteristics of VTIOT, the mechanical properties of the VTIOT cementitious material, and the hydration mechanism were investigated by means of surface area analysis, particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), alkali leaching, mechanical testing, hydration heat analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that: the grinding time and specific surface area of VTIOT exhibit a linear correlation. Prolonging the grinding time, the fractal dimension of the particles gradually increases. The activity of Si4+ and Al3+ elements increases rapidly, reaching a Si4+ and Al3+ content of 96 mg·L−1 at 90 min of grinding. With a VTIOT mixing amount of 30 %, a mortar paste ratio of 1:3, and a water cement ratio of 0.5, the 50 min ground VTIOT mortar demonstrates 7 d and 28 d compressive strengths of 29 MPa and 38.7 MPa, corresponding to the highest values of the activity index, measured at 71.4 % and 75.2 %, respectively. Under standard curing conditions, the hydration products of cementitious materials at 7 d are ettringite (AFt), calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), alumina, ferric oxide, monsulfate (AFm), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), and calcium silica (CS). In the hydration process of 7 d, the exothermic peak and exothermic amount of the 50 min VTIOT cementitious materials are greater than those observed for other grinding times, but lower than those of pure reference cement.

A Strategic NH3-Dosing Approach for the Minimization of N2O Production During NH3-SCR Reactions over Cu-SSZ-13 Catalysts

AbstractThe undesired production of N2O during NH3-SCR reactions is investigated over a reference commercial Cu-CHA catalyst. Steady-state experiments performed in the 150–500 °C temperature range exhibit a bimodal trend in the N2O formation profile, confirming the existence of two different reaction mechanisms occurring at low and high temperatures. Focusing on a low-to-medium T-range, N2O production, usually ascribed to NH4NO3 formation and decomposition, increases with the NO2/NOx ratio. However, an excess of NO2 leads to a decrease in the N2O release due to ammonium nitrate deposition and catalyst clogging phenomena. Steady-state and dynamics experiments show the promoting effect of both NH3 feed concentration and NH3 storage on N2O production at T > 200 °C. Surprisingly, N2O decreases with increasing NH3/NOx ratio at lower temperature. A novel approach based on the strategic injection of NH3 is also applied to mitigate the N2O formation while maintaining high deNOx activity. Remarkably, complete NOx conversion and ~ 11% N2O saving are achieved (with inlet NO2/NOx = 0–0.5) at temperatures exceeding 200 °C; in addition, a peculiar behavior is observed in the N2O profile, which increases and decreases when adding and removing NH3 from the feed, respectively. Notably, the opposite trend is observed in the N2O profile at 200 °C. When under Standard SCR conditions, this so far unreported observation challenges the NH4NO3 formation route for N2O and suggests the existence of different controlling phenomena at different temperature regimes: i) the Cu/redox chemistry at T ≤ 200 °C and ii) the NH3 storage at higher temperature, ideally up to 300 °C.

Covalent-Organic-Framework-Modified Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensor for Selective Detection of Hazardous Formic Acid.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a novel family of porous crystalline materials utilized in various advanced applications. However, applying COFs as a hazardous organic acid gas sensor is substantial but still challenging. Herein, a phenylenediamine-based covalent organic framework (TPDA-TPB COF) featuring excellent crystallinity, ultrastable thermal stability, and high surface area was successfully constructed. Then, the TPDA-TPB COF-modified quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor is fabricated by immobilizing the TPDA-TPB COF thin film on the gold-QCM chip. The fabricated TPDA-TPB COF-modified QCM sensor demonstrates a rapid response, excellent reproducibility, high selectivity, and sensitivity to formic gas, arising from hydrogen-bonding interactions between formic acid and the outermost layer of the TPDA-TPB COF, as determined by extensive analysis and density functional theory calculations. The basic sites of the TPDA-TPB COF, which are numerous due to its high nitrogen content, and the carboxylic acid groups present in formic acid exhibit efficient interactions. The sensitivity of the TPDA-TPB COF-modified QCM sensor was found to be 7.75 Hz ppm-1 at standard room temperature and pressure conditions, with a limit of detection (LOD) of formic acid down to 1.18 ppm, which is significantly below the workplace olfactory threshold limit of 5.0 ppm established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The TPDA-TPB COF-modified QCM sensor exhibits remarkable detecting capabilities, making it highly attractive for detecting organic acid vapors in diverse applications that require superior performance.

Performance Evaluation and Thermal Stabilization of Photovoltaic Panels Using Phase-Change Materials

Photovoltaic (PV) is a widely used technology that generates power from solar energy. The solar radiations reaching PV panels are converted into electrical energy and heat, however the panel temperature increases, leading to a decrease in performance. This issue can be resolved using cooling methods. Phase-change materials (PCMs) are utilized in passive cooling methods, which do not consume energy, store the heat from the panel and cool them. In this study, sodium acetate trihydrate (PCM-1), palmitic acid (PCM-2), and an eutectic mixture of stearic acid and palmitic acid (PCM-3) were placed in a container and integrated into monocrystalline and polycrystalline PV panels to examine the impact of PCM on various performance metrics including power output, energy efficiency, and PV panel surface temperature. The experiments are carried out in Izmir, which has a hot climate condition in summer months. The solar irradiance of Izmir city and standard test condition of 1000 W/m2 were applied to the panels in the experiments. Results showed that the maximum temperature decreased, compared to the reference panel (without PCM), by 22.84% and 14.4%, respectively, when using PCM-1 and eutectic mixture in the monocrystal panel at 1000 W/m2 in August. The power and efficiency increased by 24.97% and 24.95%, respectively, for the polycrystalline panel in July. These results indicate that PCMs enhanced the cooling and increased the performance of the PV panels with high surface temperatures due to intense solar irradiation.

Lipschitz Regularity for a Priori Bounded Minimizers of Integral Functionals with Nonstandard Growth

AbstractWe establish the Lipschitz regularity of the a priori bounded local minimizers of integral functionals with non autonomous energy densities satisfying non standard growth conditions under a bound on the gap between the growth and the ellipticity exponent that is reminiscent of the sharp bound already found in [16].

Practice is the best of all instructors-Effects of enactment encoding and episodic future thinking on prospective memory performance in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to remember to carry out intended actions in the future. The present study investigated the effects of episodic future thinking (EFT) and enactment encoding (EE) on PM performance in autistic adults (ASD). A total of 72 autistic individuals and 70 controls matched for age, gender, and cognitive abilities completed a computerized version of the Dresden breakfast Task, which required participants to prepare breakfast following a set of rules and time restrictions. A two (group: ASD vs. controls) by three (encoding condition: EFT vs. EE vs. standard) between-subjects design was applied. Participants were either instructed to engage in EFT or EE to prepare to the different tasks prior to performing the Dresden breakfast or received standard instructions. Analyses of variance were conducted. Autism-spectrum-disorders (ASD) participants did not differ from control participants in their PM performance, regardless of which strategy they used. Compared to the standard condition, EE but not EFT improved time-based PM performance in all participants. This is the first study to find spared time-based PM performance in autistic individuals. The results confirm earlier results of beneficial effects of EE on PM performance. Findings are discussed with regards to the methodology used, sample composition as well as autistic characteristics.

Evaluating Outdoor Performance of PV Modules Using an Innovative Explicit One-Diode Model

Due to its simplicity, the one-diode model is commonly used for modeling the operation of photovoltaic (PV) modules at standard test conditions (STC). However, its inherent implicit nature often presents challenges in modeling PV energy production. In this paper, the innovative explicit one-diode model developed by us over time is adapted for estimating PV power production under real weather conditions. Simple yet accurate equations for calculating the energy output of a PV generator equipped with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system are proposed. The model’s performance is assessed under various normal and harsh operating conditions against measured data collected from the experimental setup located at the Solar Platform at West University of Timisoara, Romania. As an application of the new equation for maximum power, this paper presents a case study where the energy loss in the absence of an MPPT system is evaluated based on atmospheric and sky conditions.

Discovery, characterization, and engineering of an advantageous Streptomyces host for heterologous expression of natural product biosynthetic gene clusters

BackgroundStreptomyces is renowned for its robust biosynthetic capacity in producing medically relevant natural products. However, the majority of natural products biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) either yield low amounts of natural products or remain cryptic under standard laboratory conditions. Various heterologous production hosts have been engineered to address these challenges, and yet the successful activation of BGCs has still been limited. In our search for a valuable addition to the heterologous host panel, we identified the strain Streptomyces sp. A4420, which exhibited rapid initial growth and a high metabolic capacity, prompting further exploration of its potential.ResultsWe engineered a polyketide-focused chassis strain based on Streptomyces sp. A4420 (CH strain) by deleting 9 native polyketide BGCs. The resulting metabolically simplified organism exhibited consistent sporulation and growth, surpassing the performance of most existing Streptomyces based chassis strains in standard liquid growth media. Four distinct polyketide BGCs were chosen and expressed in various heterologous hosts, including the Streptomyces sp. A4420 wild-type and CH strains, alongside Streptomyces coelicolor M1152, Streptomyces lividans TK24, Streptomyces albus J1074, and Streptomyces venezuelae NRRL B-65442. Remarkably, only the Streptomyces sp. A4420 CH strain demonstrated the capability to produce all metabolites under every condition outperforming its parental strain and other tested organisms. To enhance visualization and comparison of the tested strains, we developed a matrix-like analysis involving 15 parameters. This comprehensive analysis unequivocally illustrated the significant potential of the new strain to become a popular heterologous host.ConclusionOur engineered Streptomyces sp. A4420 CH strain exhibits promising attributes for the heterologous expression of natural products with a focus on polyketides, offering an alternative choice in the arsenal of heterologous production strains. As genomics and cloning strategies progress, establishment of a diverse panel of heterologous production hosts will be crucial for expediting the discovery and production of medically relevant natural products derived from Streptomyces.

Right ventricular pacing-evoked left ventricular dysfunction is exaggerated by sustained left ventricular pressure overload in a rat model

Abstract Introduction A growing body of evidence suggests that in the presence of left bundle branch block-induced electromechanical dyssynchrony, the function of the left ventricle (LV) becomes extremely sensitive to arterial afterload. However, data is scarce whether right ventricular pacing (RVP) also sensitizes the LV to alterations in afterload. Purpose Hence, in the present translational study we aimed to characterize the acute effect of RVP on LV hemodynamics under standard laboratory conditions using a rat model of chronic LV pressure overload (PO). Methods Transverse aortic constriction (TAC group) was carried out in male Wistar rats to evoke sustained LV PO for six weeks. Age- and sex-matched sham-operated animals served as controls (Sham group). LV hemodynamics was assessed in anesthetized rats by pressure-volume analysis using a pressure-conductance micro-catheter (SPR-838) introduced to the LV via the right carotid artery. To evoke RVP, the right jugular vein was cannulated and an ultra-miniature octopolar electrophysiology catheter (EPR-800) was placed into the right ventricle. Pressure-volume loops were registered in the TAC and the Sham groups during intrinsic narrow QRS rhythm (termed as TAC-Vsense and Sham-Vsense) as well as during RVP (termed as TAC-Vpace and Sham-Vpace). Results RVP was associated with impaired diastolic function (active relaxation time constant [τ]: 8.6±0.3 vs. 9.6±0.3ms, Sham-Vsense vs. Sham-Vpace and 8.0±0.3 vs. 9.6±0.4ms, TAC-Vsense vs. TAC-Vpace; P<0.001 for both comparisons) and decreased LV contractility (preload recruitable stroke work [PRSW]: 139±9 vs. 114±9mmHg, Sham-Vsense vs. Sham-Vpace and 255±23 vs. 169±17mmHg, TAC-Vsense vs. TAC-Vpace; P<0.001 for both comparisons) in both the TAC and the Sham groups. Nevertheless, the extent of RVP-evoked active relaxation prolongation (Δτ: 12±2 vs. 20±2%, Sham vs. TAC, P=0.005) and LV contractility reduction (ΔPRSW: -18±4 vs. -34±3%, Sham vs. TAC, P=0.007) was found to be more robust in rats with sustained LV PO compared to controls. Conclusion Our experimental results indicate that RVP-induced LV dysfunction is exaggerated in case of sustained LV PO.

#3068 Fibrosis and CD-163+ macrophages: making a difference between MPO-AAV and PR3-AAV

Abstract Background and Aims Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a necrotizing vasculitis characterized by inflammation of small blood vessels, with the kidney being one of the most affected organs. Its pathogenesis is a complex, multifactorial process involving inflammation and fibrosis in which macrophages play a crucial role. Macrophages are plastic cells that can change their phenotype in response to their environment. Infiltration of CD163+ macrophages (anti-inflammatory) in the interstitium and glomeruli is observed in AAV patients. Clinical and demographic differences between PR3-AAV and MPO-AAV were observed. We observed that interstitial fibrosis (IFTA) is more pronounced in MPO-AAV than in PR3-AAV. We aimed to investigate the differences in CD163+ macrophage infiltration and interstitial fibrosis between PR3-AAV and MPO-AAV. Method Retrospective single-center study of 80 AAV patients (66 MPO-AAV and 14 PR3-AAV) diagnosed by renal biopsy with at least 1 year of follow-up. Clinical and laboratory variables, ANCA type and renal/patient survival were evaluated. 26 human kidney tissue samples (13 MPO-AAV and 13 PR3-AAV) were stained for CD163+ by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and trichrome-stained biopsy slides were used to measure the degree of fibrosis. Histomorphometric quantification was performed using MetaMorph® software in both cases. Data analysis was performed under standard conditions. Statistical significance was defined as P values less than 0.05. All P values were 2-sided. Results CD163+ macrophages infiltration in the interstitial space was greater in MPO-AAV than PR3-AAV with statistical significance (p < 0.001), observing an average infiltration area of 0.333% in MPO-AAV than 0.116% in PR3-AAV. Furthermore, IFTA was higher at diagnosis in MPO-AAV (35.35%) than in PR3-AAV (31.21%) at the diagnosis with a p = 0.03. However, a correlation between IF and CD163+ macrophages infiltration was not possible to stablish. Conclusion We have observed an increased macrophage infiltrate with an anti-inflammatory and reparative phenotype that is higher at diagnosis in ANCAS-MPO compared to ANCAS-PR3, the same difference occurs with respect to interstitial fibrosis. Since the study population is small, no correlations between fibrosis and CD163 macrophage infiltration have yet been found.

Intelligent circumferential deformation prediction of structures in PCCP-E with a large diameter under internal water overpressure based on prototype experiments and Inception-ResNet-LSTM

Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) is extensively employed in long-distance water transmission projects, owing to its notable pressure-bearing capacity and durability. Nonetheless, the operation under overpressure conditions poses a risk of structural damage and functional failure to PCCP during its service life. Consequently, accurate prediction of the deformation characteristics of overpressure operation with the structural deformation data under standard water pressure is of great importance for ensuring the safety and reliability of the project. However, it is a challenge to obtain spatiotemporal features for traditional algorithms. As a consequence, a novel deep learning model, i.e. Inception-ResNet-LSTM, is put forward to forecast PCCP deformation. It integrates the Inception, ResNet, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). Based on the prototype experiments, the monitoring was undertaken on the deformations of the inner and outer concrete layers, the steel cylinders, and the prestressed steel wire under internal water pressures of 0 MPa, 0.2 MPa, 0.4 MPa, 0.6 MPa, 0.8 MPa, 1.0 MPa, and 1.15 MPa. In the case study, the deformation data of different structures are input into Inception-ResNet-LSTM to establish a model. For all the structures, the R2 (coefficient of determination) of the Inception-ResNet-LSTM model exceeds 0.97. Based on the results, it is demonstrated that the model has captured the spatiotemporal features from the monitoring data. In comparison to models based on DL and ML algorithms, Inception-ResNet-LSTM demonstrates superior performance, exhibiting heightened accuracy and enhanced generalization capabilities. It provides a new method for PCCP deformation estimation under overpressure.

#2812 Continuous blood pressure monitoring with a finger cuff is unreliable in chronic hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background and Aims Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is the most common complication of hemodialysis (HD), which is often related to ultrafiltration. Due to the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), compensatory mechanisms often fail. In clinical practice, BP is measured 2x/hour, while additional readings are only performed when symptoms arise. However, since IDH defined by a nadir systolic BP (SBP)<90 mmHg or <100 mmHg (depending on pre-dialysis SBP), regardless of symptoms, is most strongly associated with mortality, current BP measurement frequency may severely underestimate the true incidence of IDH. Continuous BP-monitoring may offer a solution to this issue. The Clearsight device (CSD) is a non-invasive continuous BP-monitoring system that measures arterial pressure and waveforms through a finger cuff by photoplethysmography. Yet, a compromised peripheral circulation may hamper its reliability in HD patients. This study aims to assess the agreement between intradialytic CSD-monitoring and standard oscillometric brachial arterial pressure (oBAP) assessment. Methods 40 Chronic HD patients were cross-over randomized to 4 modalities, each for 2 weeks: [standard HD (S-HD), cool HD (C-HD), low volume hemodiafiltration (LV-HDF) and high-volume HDF (HV-HDF)]. During one session of each second week, BP and heart rate (HR) were continuously recorded with the CSD (BMEYE/Edwards Lifesciences) and every 15 minutes with a brachial arterial cuff (contralateral of the fistula or graft, if applicable). Simultaneous measurements of SBP, diastolic BP (DBP) and HR were compared with descriptive statistics (mean difference [bias, BAP minus CSD], standard deviation (SD) and range) and Bland-Altman analysis. Bias was defined as the mean difference between oBAP and CSD, and 95% limits of agreement (LA) as the mean difference ±1.96 SD. Post-hoc, patients were stratified into tertiles of unexplained missing CSD-readings, to explore whether specific patient characteristics explain failed readings. Results 75% of patients was male, with a mean age 69.7 (±13.5 years) and median dialysis vintage 3.0 years (IQR 1.0-5.8). Diabetes mellitus and CVD were present in 48% and 73%, resp. Of the 2720 paired BP-measurements, 42% CSD and 6% of oBAP-readings were missing, leaving 36% of absent CSD-readings unexplained. Bland-Altman analysis, comparing oBAP and CSD-measurements, revealed a mean bias ± LA of 13.3 ± 44.5 mmHg for SBP, a mean bias ± LA of 13.3 ± 25.5 for DBP, and a mean bias ± LA of −0.03 ± 22.9 for HR. Surprisingly, the group with a high (>38%) proportion of unexplained missing CSD-values was significantly younger compared to the low (<21%) and intermediate group (21-38%) (p = 0.015), whereas no significant differences were observed with respect to dialysis vintage, diabetes mellitus or CVD. Conclusions 1) Compared to the oBAP method, finger cuff-monitoring shows poor precision and accuracy in BP-measurements, but good accuracy and poor precision in HR-readings; 2) 1/3 of readings failed for unknown reasons. Thus, CSD-monitoring is unsuitable for intradialytic hemodynamic monitoring in chronic HD patients.

Eliciting cognitive consistency increases acceptance of implicit bias.

Resistance to knowledge about implicit bias jeopardizes the ability to learn, understand, and act to outsmart bias. Across three experiments and five independent samples (N > 3,500), conditions that increase cognitive consistency were created alongside control conditions. In Experiment 1, using a race (Black-White) Implicit Association Test (IAT), cognitive consistency was enhanced when participants evaluated the validity and utility of the test before, rather than after, receiving the test result, leading to greater acceptance of bias. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants either evaluated their performance on a Black-White IAT alone or evaluated their performance on a morally innocuous Insect-Flower IAT prior to a Black-White IAT. Again, resistance to evidence of implicit racial bias was reduced in the latter condition, where the imperative for cognitive consistency was heightened. In all three experiments, creating ordinary conditions to heighten cognitive consistency was associated with increased bias awareness and acceptance and, additionally, with support for actions to minimize its consequence-outcomes critical to achieving effective bias education. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

ExoBand, A Passive Wearable Device as a Walking Aid in Neuromuscular Patients: First Quantitative Assessment.

Exoband (by Moveo, Padova, Italy) functions as a walking brace, comprising a belt and two leg loops connected by a mechanism that stores energy during the initial phase of the gait cycle and releases it in the subsequent phase. This enhances hip flexor thrust, leading to functional improvement in walking for individuals with conditions characterized by proximal weakness. It has been approved as a passive wearable device for individuals with impaired walking abilities. Objective of this study was to establish a protocol to assess the use of Exoband in patients with various neuromuscular disorders. This exploratory retrospective study includes consecutive patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders (CIDP, motor polyneuropathy, MND), exhibiting a proximal involvement and gait abnormalities. The evaluation protocol incorporated specific walking-related outcome measures, the 10-meter walk test (10mWT), Time-up-and-go test (TUG), and 2-minute walking test (2MWT). The assessments were conducted both with and without the Exoband under standard conditions. Eight patients (6 males, aged 60-78 years) were tested. An increase in velocity was observed in the 10mWT (median 13.4 sec, IQR 12.0-15.7 vs. 12.2 sec, IQR 11.3-14.2 seconds, p < 0.05) and the TUG (14.0 sec, IQR 13-16.2 vs 13.35 sec, IQR 11-13.8; p < 0.05, by non-parametric Wilcoxon test), and a trend of increase in 2MWT (median 88.2 vs 92.6 m, n.s.). Six out of 8 patients reported subjective benefits from the very first use, including improved walking stability, speed, confidence, and reduced fatigue. Our protocol provides a quantitative assessment of Exoband usefulness for patients affected by neuropathies with gait abnormalities. Further investigations are warranted to assess the long-term effects of its regular Exoband use, its efficacy in specific neuromuscular diseases, and its potential role as a rehabilitation device.

Maximizing Glycoproteomics Results through an Integrated Parallel Accumulation Serial Fragmentation Workflow.

Glycoproteins play important roles in numerous physiological processes and are often implicated in disease. Analysis of site-specific protein glycobiology through glycoproteomics has evolved rapidly in recent years thanks to hardware and software innovations. Particularly, the introduction of parallel accumulation serial fragmentation (PASEF) on hybrid trapped ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometry instruments combined deep proteome sequencing with separation of (near-)isobaric precursor ions or converging isotope envelopes through ion mobility separation. However, the reported use of PASEF in integrated glycoproteomics workflows to comprehensively capture the glycoproteome is still limited. To this end, we developed an integrated methodology using timsTOF Pro 2 to enhance N-glycopeptide identifications in complex mixtures. We systematically optimized the ion optics tuning, collision energies, mobility isolation width, and the use of dopant-enriched nitrogen gas (DEN). Thus, we obtained a marked increase in unique glycopeptide identification rates compared to standard proteomics settings, showcasing our results on a large set of glycopeptides. With short liquid chromatography gradients of 30 min, we increased the number of unique N-glycopeptide identifications in human plasma samples from around 100 identifications under standard proteomics conditions to up to 1500 with our optimized glycoproteomics approach, highlighting the need for tailored optimizations to obtain comprehensive data.

Complete series method (CSM): a convenient method to reduce daily heterogeneity when evaluating the regeneration time (RT) of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs)

Background“Regeneration time” (RT) denotes the time required to obtain a stable mortality rate for mosquitoes exposed to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) after three consecutive washes of a net in a day. The RT informs the wash interval used to artificially age ITNs to simulate their lifetime performance under user conditions (20 washes). RT was estimated following World Health Organization (WHO) longitudinal method (LM) procedures. Longitudinal evaluation may introduce heterogeneity due to mosquito batch variability, complicating RT determination. To overcome this, nets at each stage of regeneration (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days post wash) were prepared in advance and refrigerated; then, a complete regeneration series was tested with a single mosquito batch on 1 testing day, completing four series over 4 days. This study compared the complete series method (CSM) against the LM.MethodsThe overall heterogeneity in the methods for estimating RT of one incorporated alpha-cypermethrin and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and one incorporated permethrin with PBO ITNs was determined using laboratory-reared resistant Anopheles arabiensis under standard laboratory conditions. LM methods and CSM were compared in two experiments with refrigerated nets acclimated for (i) 2 h (test 1) and (ii) 3 h (test 2). Four regeneration replicates per day were tested per ITN product with 50 mosquitoes exposed per replicate (equivalent sample size to LM). The heterogeneity from these methods was compared descriptively.ResultsThe intra-method variability for unwashed pieces was minimal, with variance of 1.26 for CSM and 1.18 for LM. For unwashed nets, LM had substantially greater variance and ratio of LM:CSM was 2.66 in test 1 and 2.49 in test 2. The magnitude of mortality measured in bioassays depended on sample acclimation after refrigeration.ConclusionsThe CSM is a convenient method for determining the regeneration times. ITNs are prepared in advance, reducing pressure to prepare all samples to start on a single day. A complete regeneration series of samples is removed from the refrigerator, defrosted and evaluated on a single day with one mosquito batch reducing the influence of mosquito batch heterogeneity on results. Replicates can be conducted over several days but do not have to be conducted on consecutive days, allowing easy facility scheduling.Graphical

Simultaneous enhancement of CO2 adsorption capacity and kinetics on a novel micro-mesoporous MIL-101(Cr)-based composite: Experimental and DFT study

MIL-101(Cr), a class of metal-organic framework, is a potential candidate for CO2 capture applications because of its high capacity of adsorption and separation capability. However, the intrinsic microporous structure of this nanomaterial poses limitations on its adsorption kinetics. Techniques employed to enhance its adsorption kinetics often adversely impact its adsorption capacity at equilibrium. Herein, as a new approach, we prepared amine-functionalized FAC@MIL-101(Cr) composites with adjustable micro-mesoporous structure and tunable nitrogen content by embedding different ratios of amine-functionalized activated carbon throughout the framework of MIL-101(Cr). This led to a simultaneous improvement in both kinetics and adsorption capacity for CO2. The best adsorbent, FAC-6@MIL-101(Cr), has excellent textural properties with a high surface area (1763.1 m2.g−1), great pore volume (1.29 cm3.g−1), and suitable nitrogen content (4.7 wt%). The adsorption analysis revealed that the modification of MIL-101(Cr) improved its CO2 adsorption capacity from 3.21 to 5.27 mmol/g under standard conditions of 1 bar and 25 °C. Furthermore, the FAC-6@MIL-101(Cr) adsorbent demonstrated fast CO2 adsorption kinetics (three times more relative to the pure MIL-101(Cr)), high CO2/N2 selectivity, and remarkable cyclic stability. The results confirmed that hybridization enhanced the polarizability of FAC@MIL-101(Cr) samples, causing more robust CO2-adsorbent surface interactions. Simultaneously, the existence of mesopores in the structure facilitated the transport of CO2 into the interior pores, resulting in a more efficient contact of CO2 molecules with all of the amine sites and a faster adsorption rate as well as more efficient regeneration. According to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, hybridization process induces significant changes in composites’ electronic structure, enhancing their capacity to interact with CO2 molecules more effectively. On the other hand, DFT calculations confirm that N2 molecule is less activated on the FAC@MIL-101(Cr) as evidenced by calculated small adsorption energy and charge-transfer values.

Oil and Gas Structures: Forecasting the Fire Resistance of Steel Structures with Fire Protection under Hydrocarbon Fire Conditions

The hydrocarbon temperature–time curve is widely used instead of the standard curve to describe the temperature in the environment of structural surfaces exposed to fire in oil and gas chemical facilities and tunnels. This paper presents calculations of the ratio of time to reach critical temperatures at different nominal fire curves for steel structures such as bulkheads and columns with different types of fireproofing. The thermophysical properties of the fireproofing materials were obtained by solving the inverse heat conduction problem using computer simulation. It was found that the time interval for reaching critical temperatures in structures with different types of fireproofing in a hydrocarbon fire decreased, on average, by a factor of 1.2–1.7 compared to the results of standard fire tests. For example, for decks and bulkheads with mineral wool fireproofing, the K-factor of the ratio of the time for reaching the critical temperature of steel under the standard curve to the hydrocarbon curve was 1.30–1.62; for plaster, it was 1.56; for cement boards, it was 1.34; for non-combustible coatings, it was 1.38–2.0; and, for epoxy paints, it was 1.71. The recommended values of the K-factor for fire resistance up to 180 min (incl.) were 1.7 and, after 180 min, 1.2. The obtained dependencies would allow fireproofing manufacturers to predict the insulation thickness for expensive hydrocarbon fire experiments if the results of fire tests under standard (cellulosic) conditions are known.