Smooth Surface Research Articles

Morphological and molecular characterization of Prorocentrum bidens (formerly known as P. compressum) and description of the closely related Prorocentrum bisaeptum sp. nov. (Prorocentrales, Dinophyceae)

ABSTRACT The genus Prorocentrum is diverse and comprises mostly marine dinoflagellates with a worldwide distribution. One large, common and easily recognizable planktonic species of Prorocentrum was known for a long time as P. compressum. This name, however, is incorrectly linked to a basionym of a diatom. The confusing taxonomy of the now also lectotypified diatom name was recently resolved, and the next younger available name, Prorocentrum bidens, was proposed for the dinoflagellate species. Based on multiple strains from various localities we here provide the first detailed morphological study of P. bidens thereby propagating the correct nomenclature of this species. The cells of one strain differed consistently from material assigned to P. bidens, and Prorocentrum bisaeptum sp. nov. is described here to represent this closely related species. Both species possessed two pyrenoids per chloroplast and shared the arrangement of ten periflagellar platelets, including subdivisions of platelets 6 and 8. Cells of both species were either fully motile or, in an encapsulated stage, enclosed with actively beating flagella in a hyaline flexible envelope bounded by a thin surface layer. Prorocentrum bisaeptum differs from P. bidens by a more elongated shape of the cells and by a smooth (not foveate) surface of the thecal plates. Most importantly, one to four cells of P. bisaeptum are consistently enclosed within two nesting envelopes, whereas there is only one such structure tightly surrounding one or two cells of P. bidens. This study increases and improves our knowledge of the diversity within this important group of planktonic organisms.

Assessment of microplastics in highland rock salts of Northern Borneo

Mountain salts produced from the highland region in NE Sarawak have a market value and also provide basic income to the communities. During the salt-making process, microplastics (MPs) may enter into commercial table salts from various sources, which has not been explored yet. Hence, the current research investigates the presence of MPs in the rock salts produced from the highland saline water in two different locations (L1 and L2) in NE Sarawak. Among the brine water and rock salt samples analysed, the highest concentrations of MPs were detected from the salt samples. It has been revealed that both the water and salt samples have the highest concentration of MPs occurring within the size range of 1–1000 μm. Transparent MPs are the most common colour observed in both salt and water samples, followed by white, blue, red, and black. The most prevalent shapes of MPs are fibers, which account for almost 47% in water samples and 87% in salt samples. Based on the ATR-FTIR study, polyethylene (PE) is the most prevalent polymer observed in salt samples, followed by polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In water samples, PP is the most dominating polymer, followed by PE and PS. Through SEM microphotographs, fiber-type MPs have smooth surfaces, fragment-type MPs have rough edges, and sheet-type MPs have layered surfaces. EDX analysis revealed that carbon (C) and oxygen (O) are the most abundant elements, followed by aluminium (Al) and sodium (Na) in MPs. Based on the results, it is inferred that the MPs in the rock salts are mainly sourced from the different stages of salt-making production. This preliminary study shed light on the presence and characteristics of MPs in rock salts in this region. The research outcomes could support sustainable management plans to improve the salt quality and enhance the market value.

Physical field of dual-frequency ultrasonic vibration and its effect on solidification behavior of MgZnY alloy

A three-dimensional model was established for coupled simulation of the physical field in a liquid subjected to dual-frequency ultrasonic vibration. The effect of sonotrode position, tip shape, and vessel on the distributions of acoustic pressure and acoustic streaming were clarified. The influence of physical fields on the solidification behavior of Mg alloy was investigated. The simulation results show that the interaction between the two ultrasounds was weakened as the sonotrode spacing increased, and the radiating angle had little effect on the acoustic pressure distribution. The volume mean pressure in the liquid radiated by the plane tip was the smallest, but with the greatest acoustic streaming intensity. In contrast, the spherical tip radiated the highest volume mean pressure in the liquid medium, but the acoustic streaming was severely suppressed. Attributed to the smooth spherical surface that facilitated fluid flow, high flow velocity could be achieved using a round-bottomed crucible without severe acoustic pressure attenuation. The experimental results show that cavitation and acoustic flow caused the coarse dendrites to turn into fine isometric crystals. The acoustic flow accelerated the melt flow and alleviated the segregation and precipitation of Zn elements, leading to a decrease in the content and size of the second phase in the billet.

Temperature-regulating functional PET composite fabric based on paraffin@silicon dioxide microencapsulated phase change materials

A novel kind of thermoregulatory composite fabric was prepared in this work. Firstly, paraffin@silicon dioxide (Pn@SiO2) microencapsulated phase change microcapsules (MEPCM) were synthesized by sol-gel method with paraffin as the core and silica dioxide as the shell. The spherical MEPCM with a particle size distribution of 6–12 μm exhibited a smooth surface. The heat storage capacity of MEPCM was tested by DSC, showing the phase change enthalpy of 137.3 J/g. Then, MEPCM was coated onto PET textile fabric, and the effect of different content of MEPCM on the temperature regulation performance of the finishing fabric was discussed. MEPCM on the surface morphology, thermal regulating properties, and thermal effects of the fabric were investigated by SEM, DSC, TG, infrared thermography, and photo thermal experiment. The highest enthalpy of the composite fabric after finishing by MEPCM could reach 49.18 J/g, and the infrared thermography showed that the rate of temperature change of the composite fabric was significantly slowed down during the warming and cooling process, which had the ideal heat storage and temperature regulation function. Phase change composite fabric shows great potential in a wide range of applications, such as military firefighting, personal protection, and temperature-controllable advanced textiles.

Mechanical properties and strain rate effect of graphene oxide grafted carbon fiber modified concrete under dynamic impact load

In order to improve the shortcomings of carbon fiber, such as smooth surface, poor bonding with concrete matrix and easy to pull out under dynamic impact load, graphene oxide is grafted onto the surface of carbon fiber by chemical bonds to prepare graphene oxide grafted carbon fiber (CF-GO). The dynamic impact test on CF-GO modified concrete (CF-GOMC) is carried out by the split hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system, and the mechanical properties and strain rate effect of CF-GOMC under dynamic impact loads are studied. The modification mechanism of CF-GO is analyzed by microscopic tests. The results show that compared with carbon fiber, the surface roughness and surface area of CF-GO increase and CF-GO is more suitable for bonding with concrete matrix. CF-GO can improve the mechanical properties of concrete under dynamic impact load and enhance the strain rate effect of dynamic mechanical properties indicators by preventing crack, bridging, filling and promoting hydration. With the increase of CF-GO content, the dynamic mechanical properties and strain rate sensitivity of CF-GOMC increase first and then decrease. The optimal content of CF-GO is 0.3 %. The improvement effect of CF-GO on the dynamic mechanical properties and strain rate effect of concrete is better than that of carbon fiber. The graphene oxide on the surface of CF-GO makes the interface of CF-GO/concrete matrix compact by improving the mechanical bite force of fiber/concrete matrix and promoting the formation of hydration products on the surface of fiber. The addition of CF-GO does not change the composition of cement hydration products, but promotes the crystal growth of hydration products and optimizes the pore structure of concrete.

The flux pinning effect of different doping element combinations on metal-organic deposition-derived YBa2Cu3O7−δ nanocomposite films

Elemental doping has been proven effective in improving the flux pinning of yttrium barium copper oxide (YBa2Cu3O7−δ, YBCO) nanocomposite thin films. In the present work, we increased the number of doping elements to five to investigate the flux pinning effect of YBCO. The Zr-doped, Zr, Hf and Sn co-doped, Zr, Hf, Sn and Ta co-doped, and Zr, Hf, Sn, Ta and Mn co-doped YBCO films deposited on LaMnO3/MgO/Y2O3/Al2O3/ Hastelloy substrate were systematically studied. The samples were prepared by low-fluorine metal-organic deposition method, with a total dopant of 8 mol%. All films exhibit good c-axis growth and the multi-doping helps refining the surface particles, resulting in a smoother surface. The in-field properties of the films increase with the increase of co-doped element numbers, especially at a low temperature of 30 K. The pinning force density (Fp) and critical current density (Jc) are significantly improved by five-element Zr, Hf, Sn, Ta and Mn co-doped, which is about 3 times and 1.6 times higher, respectively, than that of the undoped film at 30 K and 1 T.

Emulsion electrospun epigallocatechin gallate-loaded silk fibroin/polycaprolactone nanofibrous membranes for enhancing guided bone regeneration

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes play an important role in oral bone regeneration. However, enhancing their bone regeneration potential and antibacterial properties is crucial. Herein, silk fibroin (SF)/polycaprolactone (PCL) core-shell nanofibers loaded with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were prepared using emulsion electrospinning. The nanofibrous membranes were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, water contact angle (CA) measurement, mechanical properties testing, drug release kinetics, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Mouse pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells were used to assess the biological characteristics, cytocompatibility, and osteogenic differentiation potential of the nanofibrous membrane. Additionally, the antibacterial properties againstStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)andEscherichia coli (E. coli)were evaluated. The nanofibers prepared by emulsion electrospinning exhibited a stable core-shell structure with a smooth and continuous surface. The tensile strength of the SF/PCL membrane loaded with EGCG was 3.88 ± 0.15 Mpa, the water CA was 50°, and the DPPH clearance rate at 24 h was 81.73% ± 0.07%. The EGCG release rate of membranes prepared by emulsion electrospinning was reduced by 12% within 72 h compared to that of membranes prepared via traditional electrospinning.In vitroexperiments indicate that the core-shell membranes loaded with EGCG demonstrated good cell compatibility and promoted adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, the EGCG-loaded membranes exhibited inhibitory effects onE. coliandS. aureus. These findings indicate that core-shell nanofibrous membranes encapsulated with EGCG prepared using emulsion electrospinning possess good antioxidant, osteogenic, and antibacterial properties, making them potential candidates for research in GBR materials.

Tailoring magnetic properties of novel (La0.25Nd0.25Sm0.25Gd0.25)1-xHoxMnO3 high-entropy perovskite ceramics by Ho doping

High-entropy perovskite ceramics (HEPCs) with equal atomic ratios have recently emerged as a highly promising class of materials due to their unique magnetic properties. However, the crystal structure, microstructure and magnetic properties of unequal atomic ratios HEPCs have yet to be fully investigated. In this paper, single-phase HEPCs (La0.25Nd0.25Sm0.25Gd0.25)1-xHoxMnO3 ((LNSG)1-xHxMO) have been synthesized using solid-state reactions. The effect of Ho element content (x = 0.25, 0.3, 0.35 and 0.4) on the structure and magnetic properties was systematically investigated. All samples exhibit an orthorhombic perovskite structure with a Pbnm space group and show obvious crystallization characteristics after sintering at 1250 °C for 16 h (LNSG)1-xHxMO HEPCs display a smooth surface texture and distinct grain boundaries, as well as significant hysteresis effects at T = 5 K. The spin-orbit interaction and magnetic anisotropy between Ho and Mn ions increase with the increase of Ho content, which increases the saturation magnetization (Ms) of HEPCs. (LNSG)0.6H0.4MO exhibits the lowest magnetic hysteresis losses among the considered samples, attributed to its highest Ms (50.95 emu/g) and the lowest coercivity Hc (0.6 kOe). These characteristics endow it with a potential application in magnetic storage devices.

Synthesis of tungsten-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles using Aloe vera extracts for perovskite solar cells

A green, plant extract-mediated synthesis technique utilizing the Aloe vera stem extract with Zinc acetate (Zn(CH₃CO₂)₂·2H₂O), and Tungsten chloride (WCl2) salt has been employed to grow Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and tungsten doped ZnO (W-ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). The formation of NPs was confirmed by FESEM with EDX and TEM analysis. The synthesized NPs have been employed for fabricating ZnO and W-ZnO thin films and the electro-optical properties of the films have also been investigated in detail. The thin films have obtained via spin coating and followed by annealing at 350 °C for 3 h in an ambiance atmosphere. The films showed smooth surfaces with a bandgap of 3.20 and 3.25 eV for ZnO and W-ZnO respectively. Finally, a novel structure inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been numerically analyzed utilizing the films as an electron transporting layer (ETL) for realizing the device performance. The highest PCE of the device for synthesized ZnO and W-ZnO has been found to be 21.16 % and 23.61 %, respectively. All of the findings show that the W-ZnO film is more suitable for the fabrication of PSCs than the ZnO film. In a nutshell, the synthesis of W-ZnO NPs employing green and eco-friendly methods, mediated by Aloe vera extract as the reducing agent, offers in this study a novel approach to enhancing solar cell efficiency with the simple spin coating fabrication technique.

The Optimization of Avocado-Seed-Starch-Based Degradable Plastic Synthesis with a Polylactic Acid (PLA) Blend Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

This research improves the strength of plastic using avocado seed starch and PLA. The effect of blending avocado seed starch and PLA was optimized using the RSM approach by using two variables: water absorption and biodegradability. Mixing them using RSM gave the best result: 1.8 g of starch and 3 g of PLA. Degradable plastic has a tensile strength of 10.1 MPa, elongation at a break of 85.8%, and a Young's modulus of 190 MPa. Infrared spectroscopy showed that the plastic had a -OH bond at 3273.20 cm-1, 3502.73 cm-1, and 3647.39 cm-1, a CH2 bond at 2953.52 cm-1, 2945.30 cm-1, and 2902.87 cm-1, a C=C bond at 1631.78 cm-1, and a C-O bond at 1741.72 cm-1. The plastic decomposed in the soil. It was organic and hydrophilic. Thermal tests demonstrated that the plastic can withstand heat well, losing weight at 356.86 °C to 413.64 °C, forming crystals and plastic melts at 159.10 °C-the same as PLA. In the melt flow test, the sample melted before measurement, and was therefore not measurable-process conditions affected it. A water absorption of 5.763% and biodegradation rate of 37.988% were found when the samples were decomposed for 12 days. The starch and PLA fused in the morphology analysis to form a smooth surface. The RSM value was close to 1. The RSM gave the best process parameters.

The comparison of melt technologies based on mesoporous carriers for improved carvedilol dissolution.

High-shear (HS) melt granulation and hot melt extrusion (HME) were compared as perspective melt-based technologies for preparation of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). ASDs were prepared using mesoporous carriers (Syloid® 244FP or Neusilin® US2), which were loaded with carvedilol dispersed in polymeric matrix (polyethylene glycol 6000 or Soluplus®). Formulations with high carvedilol content were obtained either by HME (11 extrudates with polymer:carrier ratio 1:1) or HS granulation (6 granulates with polymer:carrier ratio 3:1). DSC and XRD analysis confirmed the absence of crystalline carvedilol for the majority of prepared ADSs, thus confirming the stabilizing effect of selected polymers and carriers over amorphous carvedilol. HME produced larger particles compared to HS melt granulation, which was in line with better flow time and Carr index of extrudates. Moreover, SEM images revealed smoother surface of ASDs obtained by HME, contributing to less obstructed flow. The rougher and more porous surface of HS granules was correlated to larger granule specific surface area, manifesting in faster carvedilol release from Syloid® 244FP-based granules, as compared to their HME counterparts. Regarding dissolution, the two HS-formulations performed superior to pure crystalline carvedilol, thereby confirming the suitability of HS melt granulation for developing dosage forms with improved carvedilol dissolution.

Scalability of API-Loaded Multifilament Yarn Production by Hot-Melt Extrusion and Evaluation of Fiber-Based Dosage Forms.

Fiber-based technologies are widely used in various industries, but their use in pharmaceuticals remains limited. While melt extrusion is a standard method for producing medical fibers such as sutures, it is rarely used for pharmaceutical fiber-based dosage forms. The EsoCap system is a notable exception, using a melt-extruded water-soluble filament as the drug release trigger mechanism. The challenge of producing drug-loaded fibers, particularly due to the use of spinning oils, and the processing of the fibers are addressed in this work using other approaches. The aim of this study was to develop processes for the production and processing of pharmaceutical fibers for targeted drug delivery. Fibers loaded with polyvinyl alcohol and fluorescein sodium as a model drug were successfully prepared by a continuous melt extrusion process and directly spun. These fibers exhibited uniform surface smoothness and consistent tensile strength. In addition, the fibers were further processed into tubular dosage forms using a modified knitting machine and demonstrated rapid drug release in a flow cell.

Encapsulation of resveratrol in alginate microcapsules using internal gelation technique: Fabrication, characterization and release kinetics

Resveratrol (RES) is a proven anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective compound. However, low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and sensitivity to UV light and heat limit RES's use in food applications. In this study, we aim to protect RES by encapsulating it in sodium alginate (NaAlg) matrix using internal gelation, followed by drying the moist microencapsulates using spray and freeze-drying techniques. The spray-dried microencapsulates exhibited a smaller mean diameter (5.57 ± 2.40 μm), higher encapsulation efficiency (91.32 ± 1.98%), and higher ζ-potential (−61.9 ± 2.33 mV) compared to freeze-dried microencapsulates. SEM images revealed the smooth and spherical surface of the spray-dried microencapsulates, while the freeze-dried samples exhibited irregular shapes and porous textures. FTIR results showed polyelectrolyte interactions between NaAlg, RES, and CaCO3. XRD and DSC results confirmed the incorporation of RES in the NaAlg matrix. Spray-dried microencapsulates demonstrate the highest RES retention of 80.89 ± 0.70% and 78.59 ± 0.27% after 4 h of UV light and thermal treatments, respectively. In vitro release studies showed that spray-dried microencapsulates demonstrate a delayed gastric release compared to freeze-dried microencapsulates. The release mechanism of RES from the microencapsulates was effectively described by the Shalin-Peppas model.

Chitosan-carrageenan microbeads containing nano-encapsulated curcumin: Nano-in-micro hydrogels as alternative-therapeutics for resistant pathogens associated with chronic wounds.

Antimicrobial resistance is an issue of global relevance for the treatment of chronic wound infections. In this study, nano-in-micro hydrogels (microbeads) of chitosan and κ-carrageenan (CCMBs) containing curcumin-loaded rhamnosomes (Cur-R) were developed. The potential of Cur-R-CCMBs for improving the antibacterial activity and sustained release of curcumin was evaluated. Curcumin-loaded rhamnosomes (rhamnolipids functionalized liposomes) had a mean particle size of 116±7nm and a surface-charge of -24.5±9.4mV. The encapsulation efficiency of curcumin increased from 42.83%±0.69% in Cur-R to 95.24%±3.61% respectively after their embedding in CCMBs. SEM revealed smooth surface morphology of Cur-R-CCMBs. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of weak electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions among curcumin, rhamnosomes, and microbeads. Cur-R-CCMBs had demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant chronic wound pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cur-R-CCMBs also exhibited significantly higher anti-oxidant (76.85%±2.12%) and anti-inflammatory activity (91.94%±0.41%) as well as hemocompatibility (4.024%±0.59%) as compared to pristine microbeads. In vivo infection model of mice revealed significant reduction in the viable bacterial count of S. aureus (∼2.5 log CFU/mL) and P. aeruginosa (∼2 log CFU/mL) for Cur-R-CCMBs after 5days. Therefore, nano-in-micro hydrogels can improve the overall efficacy of hydrophobic antimicrobials to develop effective alternative-therapeutics against resistant-pathogens associated with chronic wound infections.

Equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation of thermo-osmosis: enhanced effects on polarised graphene surfaces

Thermo-osmotic flows, generated by applying a thermal gradient along a liquid-solid interface, could be harnessed to convert waste heat into electricity. While this phenomenon has been known for almost a century, there is a crucial need to gain a better understanding of the molecular origins of thermo-osmosis. In this paper, we start by detailing the multiple contributions to thermo-osmosis. We then showcase three approaches to computing the thermo-osmotic coefficient using molecular dynamics; a first method based on the computation of the interfacial enthalpy excess and Derjaguin's theoretical framework, a second approach based on the computation of the interfacial entropy excess using the so-called dry-surface method, and a novel non-equilibrium method to compute the thermo-osmotic coefficient in a periodic channel. We show that the three methods align with each other, in particular for smooth surfaces. In addition, for a polarised graphene-water interface, we observe large variations of thermo-osmotic responses, and multiple changes in flow direction with increasing surface charge. Overall, this study showcases the versatility of osmotic flows and calls for experimental investigation of thermo-osmotic behaviour in the vicinity of charged surfaces.

Enhancing rubber concrete with supercritical fluid-assisted Nano-SiO2 embedding and high-temperature stirred waste rubber

Using waste rubber particles(WRP) to replace fine aggregates in producing rubber concrete promotes recycling and reduces natural sand consumption, which is crucial for sustainable resource use. Unfortunately, rubber's low rigidity and poor interface bonding with the concrete matrix cause a significant strength loss. Many have done surface treatments on the particles, yet these often result in low efficiency and insignificant strength increases. This paper introduces a novel approach: employing supercritical fluid (CO2) assisted shearing to embed nano-silica and high-temperature stirring for pre-treating rubber particles. This improves the rigidity, removes impurities, and enhances surface smoothness. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy(EDS) tests on treated particles show SiO2 embedded inside, clean surfaces, and hard oxide film formation. Rubber concrete prepared using this shows obvious improvement in mechanical properties compared to untreated rubber particles, with 7-day and 28-day cubic compressive strengths increasing by 74.9 % and 54.8 %, respectively. These increases outperform most reported in the literature.

Effect of surface pore on bubble–solid surface collisional interaction and adhesion process

ABSTRACT In low-rank and oxidized coal flotation, the pore structure on particle surfaces can significantly affect the bubble-particle collisional adhesion process, which in turn affects the flotation performance. In this study, to understand its mechanism, the collisional interaction process between bubbles and substrates with a single pore was observed throjugh a self-made system, and the interaction force was measured during the adhesion and detachment process. The results proved that the pore accelerated the kinetic energy dissipation of the bubbles after collision and largely shortened the induction time during the adhhesion process. The induction time on the perforated substrate was an order of magnitude shorter than that on the smooth surface. The interaction force measurement results showed that bubble interaction behavior on smooth and perforated surfaces was essentially the same, which suggests that the single pore on hydrophobic surface can accelerate bubble adhesion without affecting adhesion stability, thus strengthening bubble – particle adhesion.

Electrospun nonwoven fabric of poly(ε-caprolactone)/n-phosphonium chitosan for antiviral applications: Fabrication, characterization, and potential efficacy

This work reports the virucidal properties of nonwoven fibers developed via electrospinning with polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan quaternized with phosphonium salt (NPCS), emphasizing the influence of NPCS concentration on the structure of fibers and their performance against the MHV-3 coronavirus. The addition of NPCS enhances solutions conductivity and viscosity, leading to fibers containing a finer porous structure with a more hydrophilic and smoother surface, thereby making them a potent barrier against respiratory particles, which is a key factor for protective face masks. In terms of degradation, NPCS paced-up the process, suggesting potential environmental benefits. PCL/NPCS (90/10) fibers exhibit a 99 % coronavirus inhibition within a five-minute exposure without cellular toxicity, while also meeting breathability standards for medical masks. These findings suggest the use of NPCS as a promising strategy to design materials with remarkable virucidal performance and physical characteristics that reinforce their use in the field of biomaterials engineering.

Nucleate pool boiling bubble dynamics for R32 and R1234yf on machined micro-structured surfaces

Efficient electronics cooling has always been a perpetual challenge, with the limits of single-phase cooling almost being reached. Two-phase cooling in the form of pool boiling is an attractive next step, with much research being devoted to it. While refrigerants operating at lower saturation temperatures are key to achieving effective cooling, surface modifications have been shown to also affect bubble dynamics and enhance nucleate pool boiling heat transfer. A simple, easy to implement fabrication method was sought, with the goal of expanding the knowledge of bubble dynamics. To this end, single bubble growth on structured surfaces that are achievable on a lathe, with an average roughness of 75 μm and differing indentation angles between 90° and 46°, was studied numerically using an OpenFOAM multiphase library. Conjugate heat transfer was applied, with heat fluxes ranging between 7.6 and 28 kW/m2 for pure refrigerants R32 and R1234yf. By comparing the bubble equivalent diameter with that of a smooth surface at a fixed heat flux, it was found that the bubble growth rates of structured surfaces were largely independent of indentation angles less than 90°, but lower than for smooth surfaces. For structured surfaces, a critical indentation angle of approximately 60° was identified which affected the bubble dynamics. For angles greater than the critical angle the bubble growth time was up to 150 % longer, which also resulted in larger departure diameters. However, the opposite trend was observed as the indentation angle was decreased below the critical angle. From a force analysis, it was found that the physical limitation imposed on the bubble growth was responsible for the critical indentation angle behaviour, with the most acute angle of 46° showing the shortest departure time. Furthermore, the bubble growth from a single cavity corresponded better with the trends of a smooth surface than a structured surface with comparable indentation angles. On a structured surface, once the bubble reached the edge of the cavity, its base diameter was limited by the physical characteristics of the surface. For the single cavity surface, however, bubble growth was uninhibited beyond the cavity, mimicking a completely smooth surface. The marked difference between results of a fully structured surface and the single cavity implies that future research will have to take the structural limitations on bubble growth imposed by a roughened surface into account.

Clinical Application of Custom Neck Collar with Negative Sensory Feedback in Children with Intractable Torticollis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a custom neck collar with negative sensory feedback for the treatment of torticollis that was previously unresponsive to conservative or surgical treatment. Twenty-four children diagnosed with unresponsive or intractable torticollis were enrolled in this two-stage, single-arm study. The ipsilateral aspect of the orthosis is adjustable in height and designed to provide support between the clavicle and the mandibular angle on the tilted side. In stage 1 (the adjustment period), the orthosis with a smooth surface was applied for 2 h per day for 3 months. In stage 2, a rough surface with a hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro©) was attached to the collar, and it was worn for a further 2 h a day for 3 months. Twenty children (mean age 63.95 ± 13.44 months) were included in the analysis. The mean torticollis angle was 17.60 ± 5.65° (mean ± SD) at baseline; 14.15 ± 3.62° directly after stage 1; and 6.00 ± 3.67° directly after stage 2 (X2 = 36.685, df = 19, p = 0.000). This study demonstrated the feasibility, therapeutic effect, and safety of a novel tactile feedback orthosis for the treatment of children with torticollis. The use of a custom neck collar with negative sensory feedback may be a viable therapeutic option for the treatment of unresolved or intractable torticollis.